Re: ASMFC-ACRONYM-Always Slashing Migratory Fish Concentrations
To be clear, the scientists at ASMFC do not get to set regulations. They can only make recommendations based on their data, and then the management board takes that and other considerations under advisement when they come up with final regulations.
One of the other considerations is economic impact, and that is where "rec angler" groups representing the for-hire fleet direct their energies in lobbying against stricter regulations, almost across the board.
There are other, larger problems with ASMFC, but the fact that more political appointees sit on the board as opposed to actual fishery biologists is one of the reasons fish stocks have declined over the years.
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