"Michael P. Armstrong, assistant director of Fisheries Biology for the Division of Marine Fisheries, said if the herring population continues to rebound, it’s likely the fishing ban will be lifted after next year. "

I enjoyed reading the comments about when I spoke about my quest to take an EDIBLE shark wile bowfishing. It was a well mannered debate.

Some people on here have started fishing after the ban and some new canal plug / jig fisherman were created because they have never seen a floating laundry basket. Do those of you who have been here PRE ban think we are better off because of the ban?

I will give my opinion to start. I am 35 years old and have been fishing the canal since I was 16 (I didn't grow up in a fishing family so I had to wait until I could take myself.) I honestly don't know if it has made a difference but I watched the decline and now I'm watching the rise again. I don't know if it means lift the ban.

Sully...where is that quote from. I ask because I spoke with Dr. A a couple weeks ago about the DMF News article from late Fall 2009 on this subject and he told me then that we know there is a poor year class in the coming years and we shouldnt get ahead of ourselves.

Then again, Dr. A has given conflicting answers to RH questions over the past few years.

down 90 percent over 20 years and if this is a good year call it rebuilt 10 per cent in the last two years

or

100-90=10 10+10=20

Is 20 percent sustainable

I say no

down 90 percent over 20 years and if this is a good year call it rebuilt 10 per cent in the last two years

or

100-90=10 10+10=20

Is 20 percent sustainable

I say no

I like the math but a 10% increase does not double,

10 + 1 = 11 even less sustainable....

To return to 100% requires 1000% growth from the 90% decline. In the stock market referred to as a 10 bagger!

I don't think much about the ban. I feel we need a hell of alot more time to recover. It's been a long time since Ive seen trucks with 55 gallon drums in the back and to me it's just a memory of some fun times. Running to watertown on a friday night loading up then heading to the canal. Trying to get to town hall on a weekday to get permits for bourne etc. It was fun but I dont think lifting it now is a great idea.

The other side of the coin is this...... Does the recreational use by fisherman even make a dent compared to commercial take?

Im not shure, I like fishing plugs but I do miss the "good old days".
my tank and laundry basket are long gone in the garbage years ago.