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I am usually on the water from 80-100 days; There is no where near the amount of boats on the water the last 3 years (economy, outrageous fuel, etc). Marina's, boat dealers, boat manufacturers, are all going under. I can sometimes cruise mid Narragansett Bay and not see another boat (a few sailboats, yes)..same with Watch Hill area. I don't think as many guys are fishing because of the above factors. Also, a lot of recreational catch is made up of charter boat landings...just take a look at Galilee docks in the summer ...a lot of boats tied up; and thats happenning up and down the Northeast Coast..
Also, MA commercial landing period last year (2009), lasted about 5 weeks (about normal), 2008 lasted into mid-September (much longer than usual).
As far as YOY, 2008 was low, 2009 came up a little (saw the chart)....but that always tracks up and down over the period that its been kept (I think it started in 1955)....it will probaly start heading up, if it trends as it has, over the last 50 or so years....
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