FISHERMEN/Not going to believe this one!!!

[1captainron]

Black Sea Bass

The 2019 black sea bass operational stock assessment concluded the stock was not overfished and overfishing was not occurring in 2018. Spawning stock biomass was estimated to be about 2.4 times the biomass target in 2018. Recruitment was above average in 2015 and below-average during 2016-2018. The Board and Council adopted an ABC of 15.07 million pounds for 2020 and 2021, which results in a commercial quota of 5.58 million pounds and an RHL of 5.81 million pounds for both years after accounting for expected discards. This represents a 59% increase for both the commercial quota and the RHL compared to the 2019 measures. This could allow for a notable increase in commercial landings. However, because the recently revised recreational harvest estimates are higher than the 2020 and 2021 RHLs, managers will not be able to liberalize recreational measures in 2020, despite the increase in the RHL. Changes to recreational measures (bag, size, and season limits) to constrain harvest to the RHL will be considered at the Council and Board’s December 2019 joint meeting.

Another Crock of Shit!!!! Bend over boys & Girls once again.

[bbfisherman]

Commercial lobby has money and they always say we need increased limits. Recreational lobby not as good and we can't agree on anything. No surprise here.

[bulletbob]

a pound and a half sea bass sells for more than a pound and a half lobster in my area,, by a LOT.. With that kind of value, it will be a miracle if rec bag limits are ever increased no matter how high the biomass figures go.... bob

[june181901]

Without the well paid lobbyists we are f**ked now and in the future! Can't understand why anyone would make future investments in recreational fishing beyond rods and reels. I hope all of the decent guys and gals trying to make a living in recreational fishing can get out whole.

[AndyS]

Pretty much sums up why I quit salt water fishing completely.

But for those of you still trying, please don't forget to sign up for the Saltwater Registry.

[WESTWIND]

Follow the money... Commercials are organized and have lobbyists, recreational and head boat /charters are not and do not have strong lobbyists. That is the alpha and omega of this situation.

[Dclark2]

TERM limits and BAN ALL LOBBISTS........................

[Gumada]

A sample of the crap data they use....

[tjd24]

Check out the Fulton Fish Market website.

A 3# Black Sea Bass costs $55.00.
A 3# Bluefish costs $18.00
A 4# Blackfish costs $46.68
WTF?

[Home Depot George]

I posted in the striped bass thread once you give it up you will never get it back-thats politics. The stock could be at 1000% of historical biomass and they won't increase the limit by one fish. The atlantic red snapper is the perfect example I think we got 6 days at 1 per person this year.Remember that when you vote this year.