[Brian L]

Rec's may catch more fish but they kill far fewer. I dare say that 100% of the fish caught commercially are killed. Recreational fishermen kill very few of their catch....maybe 10% nationwide. For me it's 0% as I release them all....but that's just me. Plus rec's provide much more $$ for the economy than do comm's.

I'm confused by this. Of course 100% of the comm catch is killed, that's the point isn't it? It's meant for food. Where does 10% come from? Then, you mention that rec's bring more into the economy but have a problem with comm's making money on fish. Either way, money is brought into an economy that creates dead fish. What's the difference? I'm not attacking rec's, as 90 percent of the Striper fishing I do is rec, btw. I just don't get the argument.

And 10% of the take of a few million anglers who fish all year is still a much bigger number than 100% of the comm take that occurs a few weeks a year. If you want to argue that recs kill fewer per trip, I'll have to agree with you, but no way in hell does the comm catch equal the rec, charter, and black market catch. (Thanks to Intrepid for distinguishing between comm catch and black market catch)

Comm fishing is still the only sector that can accurately tally fish mortality and therefore help properly manage fish stocks.