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Originally Posted by Kensdock
I What do you think happened to them?
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My guess would be a combination of things. Incorrect stock assessments leading the management to believe they were in better shape than they were, which lead to the wrong decisions. Under reporting of dead discards in non-direct commercial fisheries (i.e. scallops) and multi-species commercial fisheries. Under reporting of commercial sales. A huge dent put into them by NJ anglers who legally sold them. Cyclical. Biomass so low at present to cause predator/prey to be a major concern for them now (as prey of course).
Did you sell recreationally caught weakfish ever? If so, you were part of the problem, IMHO.