|
Let's think about it for a minute. If those stripers taken as bycatch count toward the quota, they still count as striped bass, and do not result in LESS bass taken. Same amount is more likely.
Secondly, those very large bass not only produce more eggs, but those eggs are larger and more viable, resulting in more young developing and surviving, and contain the genetics necessary to produce bass with the potential to reach those large sizes. Read my posting again about the effects of removing the largest fish before criticizing it. My posting was based on scientific evidence, not opinion and conjecture.
Also, the poaching problem is already rampant. I know this, because I have spoken with people who admit doing it. Opening the EEZ, which extends to 200 miles offshore, would create a nightmare in regulating that fishery. It's already impossible to keep a watchful eye on the industry, this would make it even more difficult.
If a certain catch quota is allowed by ASMFC, that quota would still be filled no matter which states allowed commercial harvest and which ones didn't. It would just change the proportions allowed to each state, and not decrease the amount of bass taken.
|
Threaded Mode