Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyS
The "scientists" recently stated that the ENTIRE bio-mass of summer flounder has shifted North. 
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Andy my theory which I mentioned earlier is since harvest sizes have increased, we're obviously harvesting larger fish but the average size fish in the biomass has also increased. What every angler knows who fishes for summer flounder or almost any species of fish, larger fish seek out cooler water then smaller ones. In my opinion based on that fact alone, the biomass moved further north for that reason, not global warming. Not saying global warming isn't occuring, I think we'd be very wrong taking that position. Just my opinion with this fishery and a modest .5 temperature increase over the last 30 years I don't believe that's why the biomass is now heavily concentrated at points further north. It's that concentration which also makes the biomass more vulnerable to commercial harvest and the potential impacts the Fall / Winter commercial fishery potentially is having on the spawning process.