[bassballer]

Originally Posted by FishermanTim

Funny how we have these same kind of "banner" years every 5-10years, the fishery is "deemed" to be in great shape (based on the fish caught early season) yet the regulations seem to be getting stricter each time around.

If the fishery is in such great shape, how come restrictions are being added almost every year? I understand the need for it to be a self-sustaining self-replenishing resource, but at what point can we say with ANY certainty that it is working?

Have the authorities fully cracked down on poaching?
Have there been any changes to decrease the amount of by-catch mortality?
Why can't there be a uniform size and catch limit for the entire range of these fish, instead of having so many variations that only help to perpetuate the ease of poaching?

Oh, and how long ago was it that the "authorities" claimed that the cod populations were rebounding? Look at the cod fishing situation now and tell me you aren't thinking the same could be in store for the stripers, black sea bass and pretty much every fish we prize here in the northeast?

I think the seabass regs are rediculous. Those fish are everywhere in good numbers.
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