Sad article about the Party Boat industry

[Fish_Harder]

http://www.app.com/longform/sports/o...oats/31214187/

[NoLimit]

No mention of the fact that the commercial boats are killing off the population with their by catch?

[Mike K]

The regulations are a factor, the disappearance of fish like whiting, mackerel, consistent summer bluefish all factors. More people own boats now. Competition from the charter fleet.

One thing for sure, it really is sad.

[NoLimit]

Fish population is down despite fewer people fishing. There are fewer private boats fishing than there was 20-30 years ago.

[MrAC1980]

Good read but its funny how no one mentioned the commercial fishing fleet and their impact...

[bunker dunker]

if peeps can't keep fish then they will not go.

[Fish_Harder]

I agree about the no mention of the commercial fleet and how they hurt the populations and the trickle down to the party boats

[bunker dunker]

I don't think the commercial fleet is doing as much damage as the rules and regs are.

[RC.]

There are fewer kids fishing now than there were in past generations. They have more entertainment options and if they ever do go fishing, they either catch nothing or have to throw it back, so they move on to the next thing...over time it really adds up.

Specific to the PB situation, do not underestimate the impact that the "open charter" industry has on PBs. Anyone who has a small boat can call themselves "Captain" and subsidize their fishing hobby by chartering. Those customers previously would have been on a PB.

RC.

[GDubya07]

Good article but no mention of commercial boats

It is just a matter of time before it is fishing to the highest bidder

They want to put recs and small business owners off the water

There are plenty of fish out there and if people cant keep some of what they catch at least dinner, they will not go

The younger generation has different priorities , video games , crazy homework and running from one sport to another

GDubs-