Sokinwet, your friend (and you as well as many others both commercial and recreational) doesn't get it.
The argument for gamefish status is NOT an economic one. Very clearly the maximum economic benefit of any fishery includes commercial use. No argument there.
The argument for gamefish status is a constitutional one. The constitution says nothing about managing fisheries for maximal economic yield. Rather, it establishes a government for the sole purpose of protecting our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Gamefish status involves our right to pursue happiness.
Some people find happiness catching (or cooking) and selling bass for profit.
Some people find happiness paying for and eating bass at $17.50 a lb.
Some people find happiness fishing for striped bass recreationally.
Most people (i.e., the general public) could care less either way.
When conflict in the pursuit of happiness develops, it is resolved democratically.
Economic activity is not the sole determinant of happiness (unless you feel the economy will collapse when bass become gamefish).
Good fishery management would insure maximal happiness from use of the resource, not maximal economic yield. That, however, is not the goal of current fishery management. Consequently the millions of recreational anglers who need more abundant striped bass to be happy are having their rights trampled and justly should try to change the law to correct it. If enough of them agree, it will get changed
.