[tuna john]

my comments.

I have been fishing for over 30 years, and sadly as restrictions have tightened the fishing has gotten worse. One would believe larger size limits and reduced quota would help rebuild overfishing, but in the case of Fluke and sea bass we can see after years it has in fact gotten much worse. As noted in the comments almost 95% of the fluke over 18 inches are breeders and they are the ones recs are killing(if we are lucky). Fishing in cape may nj this was the worst season I have ever seen. I stated last few years it can’t get any worse but surely it has. We would go trips without even catching any keepers and some not even shorts. I would imagine it is very hard to keep 2 sides happy as well as do what’s best for the fishery but in the case of Fluke and sea bass we are making it worse. After reading tab 12 what troubled me most was this.


Because commercial discards resulted in the commercial ACL being exceeded in 2017 and likely in 2018 as well, trends in commercial discards should continue to be monitored closely for potential future incorporation into ACT recommendations. However, commercial catch and landings limits were increased substantially in 2019 and will be maintained at this higher level for 2020 and 2021. To me the recreational angler this says overfish and well increase your quota. Seems greatly unfair especially for two more years when the fishery is in dire trouble.

2nd alarming comment

Extremely revealing chart regarding commercial discards comparing percentages on observed trawls to percentages obtained from FVTR’s. Source is 57th SAW page 302. Could not find comparable information in 66th SAW Assessment Report. If available, would be interested in reviewing years 2012 – 2017. The disparity between observed versus unobserved discard rates (those reported on VTR’s) is substantial and if representative would have significant implications quantifying annual commercial catch levels and associated discard mortality rates.


Why would actual vessel trips be ignored and flawed scientific dat be used when we have factual???

One other comment is MRIP. It has been proven time and time again how flawed and unrealistic the data actually is, yet we continue to us it. In today era of technology there is no reason not to have anglers report their catch via some sort of app, Yes some would be resistant and not have the technology but I think far more anglers would provide data if they knew it would be for the good of the fishery. Please consider in this meeting lowering the size limits for recreational fisherman as well as preventing off shore decimation during the prime breeding season in the offshore canyons.

Concerned Angler