Thread: NOAA - Vision 2020:

THE FUTURE OF MARINE FISHERIES

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ocs/documen...20_FINAL-1.pdf



"We are from the gubment, and here to help."

I find it real hard to believe that whatever they propose and or do will have an effect on the Winter fishermen like me. At no time during Jan./Feb. was I close to getting my limit in anything but B-liners while fishing off of the Party Boat. My buddy, never had a bite from the shore or the pier, in the 2 months he was there, and we fished 4 - 5 times a week. Now the fish are in and they are active, and that is a good thing, I wish I were there now!!!! Perhaps reducing the catch limits and the possession limits are the answer, or maybe a slot limit and a legal size limit, over/under, on all species of fish. I don't know, I can certainly see where something has to be done. Fish are a renewable resource, but it takes a long time and once there are gone, they are gone.
Thanks for the update pier#r!!! It's good that it has to come to this, it means that you guys are catching fish.

Thank you for posting this report, Mr. #r. I could be not remembering correctly about this idea, But, it seems to my old foggy memories that the push for light and ultra light tackle in the late '70s and early '80s was somehow linked to the idea of Catch and Release. The notion of light tackle interested me then, and still does. The majority of recreational fishermen/women seem to practice C&R as a matter of course, as best as I can tell when I am out fishing. Not everyone, but most do. Having said that, I will suppose that population growth will add to pressure on the entire system. This pressure on fish stocks will come from commercial interests as well me and others like me. Figuring out this management method is one heck of a row to hoe, any way I look at it.

Originally Posted by bodebum

light and ultra light tackle in the late '70s and early '80s was somehow linked to the idea of Catch and Release

The counter point to that would be light pressure results in longer fights and exhausted fish.

I am all for conservation as long as the methodology behind it is scientifically sound. Sadly, this is rarely the case it seems. I have a hard time taking anything NMFS says in good faith given their at best inept and more likely corrupt red snapper management scheme.

Not to mention the absurdity to allow practically year round commercial fishing for these restricted species.
To quote their own article:

Many recreational species have limited population growth rates and are too valuable to be caught only once.

IMHO if a fish species is under ANY kind of stress their take should be monitored and adjusted, but they do not need to be fished commercially, or only under the most stringent of rules.
The only difference between a fish killed by a rec angler and the same fish killed by a comm angler is the amount of money each generates and who gets it!

This is why you don't see largemouth bass and bluegill on the menu in restaurants.

Pierless, I agree with you that light pressure results in longer fights and exhausted fish. And I will say that there are more break-offs on light and ultralight tackle. Given that all that is true, I myself and many others are able to land a great many fish, large and small, with good effects, using light tackle. You are also right about resource management, their reasoning is corrupted.