[SAUERKRAUT]

[QUOTE=Grapenuts;741168]just think for a minute......the comm.'s get one million lbs..it's over ,done. no more keeping fish for this year.

Wrong. The same commercial license individuals are fishing and killing right along side the so-called recreational fisherman, from spring until fall. Since these commercial fisherman, almost by definition, represent the best bass fishermen participating in the fishery, I submit that these same individuals, as a tiny minority numerically, contribute disproportionally to the so-called "recreational" kill poundage.

Here's how the State of Florida regulates a fishery: Snook: An inshore, highly accessible fish to the public which is good eating. This cold winter has produced a big cold water fish kill which has the scientists concerned for the fish stocks. The State has shut down the snook fishery. Done. No kill. No public hearings. A well organized sport fishery-- no complaints, griping, or wringing of hands in mock anguish.
The fish can be fished; you just cannot keep one. The charters can still fish them with their clients; you just cannot keep one.

How could the State get away with this proactive regulation of an important fishery in advance of a collapse? Simple: snook are a gamefish and there is no commercial commerce of this limited public resource. How did snook become a gamefish over the dead hand of the commercial industry? Answer: Not easily. The snook factory had to be fished and netted to virtual extinction.