Quote:
Originally Posted by ThrowingTimber
Gamefish status and just take the price tag off the fishes head. Theyre worth more alive than they are in a market be it a fair or black market.
I think Maine's slot is the best thing going. BUT it would have to be enforced, with all the double dipping on catches etc and taking of small fish and guys who want to play commercial fisherman because they think they look cute in bibs enforcement would be key.
The new enforcement guy in southern maine hands out his card with 6 contact #'s to the good guys and he says if you see anything I dont care when it is call me. Hit every number until you get me I'll be there in 20minutes.
Enforecement with the type of dedication is what we would need in RI to enforce a slot such as maine currently has in effect.
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Gamefish status without a slot limit, or something better than 2 at 28" is elevating symbolism ahead of substance.
Commercials kill 6 million pounds coastwide, per year. Recs are estimated to kill about 28-30 million. No one really knows how much is really harvested by recs. All gamefish will do is save those 6 million pounds from being recorded as dead--it won't do a damn thing to save them from being dead.
It also won't do a damn thing about by-catch.
We have to change people's attitudes about keeping fish "just because they can".