Statistics point to high catches by Recreational Fishermen

[large_diver]

While this article is not specific to New England, it seems pertinent given recent limits placed on recreational lobster.

Looks like the Commercial Fishing lobbyists have been busy....and the headline is a wonderful example of selective statistic usage....

http://www.boston.com/news/science/...l_in_more_prized_fish_than_commercial_fleets/

 

[herman]

Lets see..... I can keep 8 fish and all have to be at least a certain length otherwise, released unharmed. A commercial fisherman can catch thousand of pounds, keep 10% that are too small and most of the returned ones are dead.......Yep, I am the main cause of the decline.

 

[ScubaNorth]

A very strange article. If a stressed fish is more likely to be an easy target, what is eating it? I'd guess another fish or sea creature of some sort and that is the food chain in action. This is like trying to clamp down on back yard gardens because the big produce suppliers can't make enough money. Seems to me that catch levels commercially go up every year.