Fluke and Sea Bass Returns

[reason162]

Originally Posted by dakota560

As acutely aware as I am it didn't accomplish it's intended purpose. All you need to do is track the average commercial landings weights over the last 20 years and the age classes harvested over that same time frame. Sector went from harvesting predominantly age classes 1-3 to predominantly 3-5 age groups. Average landings weight doubled and discard rates soared due to selective harvest. How many younger age class fish do you think survive an hour and a half tow. Just about every fish coming up in a plugged net will go back belly up.

How does forcing comms to take 14" fluke lead to more selective harvesting?

They don't want to take 14" fluke. Smaller fish are worth less per lb. They are forced to take 14" fluke bc otherwise they discard and high grade to bigger fish which are worth more.

I assume you know that the comms fought tooth and nail over the 14" limit. It was imposed upon them by fishery managers.