[dales529]

This is a great post different from winters past as there is a lot of good information here ( Thanks Tom Dakota for all the in depth research) and others with well intended and informative posts. Tom you have to get on one of the main councils one day!

Mild reality check:
1) Recreational and commercial has always been and will remain under separate regulations and the two can not be compared except for poundage allocation. The spawning closures would be great however another major act to the current regs. The video earlier in this post in dumping the Fluke over was NOT because they were over the limit but because it was by catch out of season so they had no choice. Again if By catch measures out of season were changed say a poundage allocation for in season and a by catch allocation for out of season on that same species not to exceed the yearly allocation may make sense. But since counting fish is apparently impossible that has issues too.

2) While the female harvest vs stock biomass is obviously a major issue the methodology is not in place YET to address this . SSFFF and Rutgers studies did NOT pass peer review due to a computer data input vs output glitch so current modifed stock assessments are still in play. The Sex based studies will not be used and may take more time until it can pass peer review and be implemented
Please continue to support SSFFF and Rutgers as much as possible to achieve the final goals.

Having said that in my opinion and I agree with Joey Da Fish due to the current management process the introduction of a slot fish in any manner will result in one and only one result. A SHORTER season by weeks not days.
Doesn't mean any of the information in this post isnt valid or important just don't think the system is ready YET for that change.

Modern fish act allows for more flexibility so lets see how that translates but will still be based on the current stock assessments for input data or "best science available that exists


Good news is we are looking at an increased quota (lbs) by maybe 16 to 17% for this 2019 season. Changes to the " best science available" are in the works and under consideration but not quite there yet

This does or does NOT mean anything yet as those meetings are yet to be done and slot fish may or may not be on the table.

Simply put All Fishing groups and the public etc will all be involved as much as allowed for input but in the end I expect (dont know yet) that NOAA will supply the 5 options for our season to be debated but not listened to and PICK one at the NJ State level.
Should be an interesting couple of months AGAIN.

This is JUST MY Opinion.