Mid-Atlantic anglers release more fish than they keep

[DanR]

We probably didn't need a report from NOAA to come to the conclusion that we are throwing back a lot more fish than we are keeping - 87 percent of fluke caught in 2012 were tossed back.

This has been the trend for at least the last decade.

But how do we interpret these numbers? Does it mean we are cooperating with regulations? Is the industry decimated by regulations?

On the flip side, NOAA says our recreational industry here is very strong economically compared to other states. We create the fifth most jobs in the nation in the recreational fishing sector.

http://www.app.com/article/20140501/...than-they-keep

[KevinH]

If I had to guess I would say last year was a 99% throw back ratio for me.