Looks like we should have taken 3 @ 19"

[Ttmako]

Originally Posted by togzilla

This is not about managing the species but managing the anglers who target them out of existence. They know exactly what they are doing. How many party boats and charter boats will call it quits after this season under the proposed 3 fish at 18 inches? What are they going to fish for after Sept. 4th? Once the boats, marina, tackle stores call it quits they are not coming back. I'd love to be a fly on the wall at one of these ASMFC meetings when it is just those pricks talking amongst themselves and patting themselves on the back for slowly and systematically destroying the recreational fishery.

This is an excellent point and one that I hadn't really thought about. I think you may be onto something here.
That being said, there are some ASMFC members who are truly recreational fisherman. Yes, some of them are either Environmental zealots or commercial oriented. I think we should take a look at the committees underneath the council, specifically, the SSC and TC. These are more than likely environmental lunatics with an agenda closely matched to what you said. If you dig deep enough, I'm sure Pew and the EDF are providing some sort of funding to them.