Quote:
Originally Posted by hammer4reel
was announced the commercial boats got a 40% increase.
so appears we got the shaft again .
so much for the getting the fourth fish we were supposed to get back .
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I knew this was going to come up. The system is broken BUT here is my understanding of how it currently works.
The process is different for Commercial and recreational. We both got a 40% increase in quota.
In commercial they get a quota and they fish to a quota. Quota filled fishing STOPS
With recreational we get "measures" based on a quota which means we can over or under fish our quota given our season length. With the new MRIP estimates the biomass of fluke went up which is why quota was increased but our catch or harvest projections went up as well which is why we are at status quo Again.
Feds approved conservation equivalency again this year which means states / regions can make their own regulations as long as it meets the conservation goals of the fed. NJ remains our own region which is good
In Coastwide regulations the fed says 4 fish @19" and season from May 15 to Sept 15 i believe for ALL states which was not approved so thats maybe where you got a 4th fish from
Again NJ could set different regs increasing bag and or a slot if those measures meet conservation equivalency within our quota
IF a 4th fish or slot was on the table for NJ this year you would really be disappointed in the season length. See link below NJ Option presented for what 1 day change in season start -end means between wave 2 and wave 5 .
http://www.asmfc.org/files/Meetings/..._March2019.pdf
pages 2-3 for NJ but the rest is a good read also
A extra bag or slot could mean many weeks reduction in our season under the current guidelines.
Having said all that the process needs to change and SSFFF Science is the closest thing we have to make that change. I as many wish it was happening sooner but the reality is its not here for this year. There are groups like SSFF and RFA, United Boatman, JCAA and others that tirelessly work on this year in and out. It IS getting closer but the process and science changes are long.
Changing the breeder harvest by current regs is finally getting some attention!!
When the NJ meeting is posted to approve status quo with the 1 day shift in schedule by all means go there and fight for change as we all need to do so.
