In Florida, just as an example, the DNR has had remarkable success with using a slot limit to bring redfish back from the brink and the same has been true with snook with the additional closure for part of the year during their spawning period.
Whatever is done to change recreational regulations at this point, my greatest hope is that the institution of the saltwater fishing license will give NMFS a more accurate data base on the recreational catch rates which will in turn give them the solid information needed for stock assessments. And I still say the rec figures are going to be hard to swallow for some people. At any rate, it will be better than the gaze and guess method of data collection that is currently being used.
The one disturbing element I
don't see being discussed, however, is management of forage species, most notably menhaden. (And the first guy to bring up Ark Bait gets this
-it's the reduction fleet of Omega Protein that's the culprit).
Whatever is done, coastwide compliance throughout the range of striped bass is the key and that requires a strictly enforced federal mandate.