Thread: Welcome to the future of fishing...

Electronic log books could mean more fish days - News - Northwest Florida Daily News - Fort Walton Beach, FL

Wonder when they'll get around to individual fishermen?

Exactly my thought...

Any time now. East coast anglers either participate in a state reporting program or a federal reporting program. So far I have not been contacted for a random interview.

On the east coast of Florida last year I watched researchers weigh and measure each person's headboat catch although they could have been marine science researchers. Many inland states have regularly placed creel checkers at boat launches asking what you caught, what you kept, how long you fished, just like the flyway surveys on waterfowl.

I think I remember a couple of years ago there were some folks checking on the catch on the pier. Bait fish and other species. Since I can't eat fish I had little to show.

On one hand, accurate catch records are clearly a boon to anyone trying to make an honest effort at fair management. On the other hand, I find it hard to look at NOAA's recent track record and say they are making an honest effort at fair management...