Fluke Regs this year

[Billfish715]

[QUOTE=dakota560;524827

We're not addressing the primary problem hurting the fishery if we're to believe the data we have to work with is directionally correct. .[/QUOTE]

I think the comments and discussion on this thread are really healthy and civil and thanks to Gerry for moderating and keeping things on track. It is exposing some sore spots and frustrations as well as emphasizing some of the problems and stumbling blocks that face us. Most of us would like to see more liberal size and bag limits. Most of us question the data that is being used to determine the quotas and seasons. This is all causing divisiveness between various interests with the federal interventionists at the root of the debate. There will have to be a compromise somewhere and not just one that maintains the status quo. A status quo to the current regulations might be considered a win by some because we didn't give anything back. But, what did we get? How has all of this negotiating been a compromise when both sides didn't give or get something. As long as the Feds keep threatening to increase the quotas and we keep begging them to not do it, we've not made any progress. The threat of increased size limits and shortened seasons will always be held over our heads.

Do we want more female fluke to spawn? Do we want to catch bigger fluke or more fluke? Do we want to be able to keep more fluke for our coolers? Just what do we want? If we want all of the things I mentioned, what are you willing to sacrifice? It can't just happen with a wave of the hand. It will take time to rebuild the stocks. That will happen when the commercial seasons are adjusted to prevent egg-bearing females from being targeted while they are on the spawning grounds. That will mean concessions from the commercial draggers and legislation by the NMFS. Something like that would be a start, but we will have to give something in return. What might that be? Who will give in first and what will it be?

Do we trust the data that NMFS is using? I hate to use hypothetical situations but if it makes someone think, then it is useful. So, hypothetically, what would happen to the fluke regulations if the data about the fluke reproduction numbers came back at a ten-year high? Would our quotas be adjusted? I don't know. What I do know, is that despite observable increases in fluke populations, the sizes limits have increased as well. What would it take for the NMFS to decrease the size limits and liberalize the bag limits? It is all hypothetical of course but to think the size limits might be lowered is highly unlikely.

So what is the problem? Waiting for more fluke to be spawned; wanting more fish to be harvested now; or expecting the NMFS to concede and lower their optimum harvest levels? As I've mentioned, something has to give. Someone has to make a concession. I just feel that we've been more than patient while waiting for the government agencies to try to restore the fluke fishery to some mythically and mystically historic level or to whatever they indicate is their optimum number.