MASS Commercial Fishing

[big jay]

I think there are a couple of factors. First, the gas prices are definately limiting effort - that's a no-brainer.
Second, I think the formula for fishing days (5 fish sun, 30 T,W,TR) is limiting the catch - but that is a good thing. - this was intended to spread out landings, thus keeping the price higher, and get more fishing days. Under the old system, the market would flood with everyone dumping 40 fish on the market (b/c they were fishing all weekend) and the price would go to poop. Now guys can't "ice fish" as easy, and the people putting up 30 fish on a day are the real deal.
Third, last year a huge body of fish moved into CC-Bay on basically the first day of commercial season and it was a freaking free-for all. This year there are alot of big fish offshore, but they haven't moved in where guys can get at them easily. There are good fish in the bay, but you really have to work for them - its not a matter of the doghouse boats just tube and worming all day for a limit.
My .02, take it for what its worth.

[Raven]

that Striped Bass are under utilized as a stocked fish (nationwide) and that there should be hatcheries in New England for both fresh and saltwater species..........
because the natural hatchery of Chesapeak Bay is under attack by
disease bigtime..... Growing stripers is much more profitable than hogs or friggan cranberries. Tuna should be farmed too...

until we start farming the Ocean ...at.... times... larger than land agriculture... we are blowing it... just robbing the resource...
(compared to what we could do with new technologies)
i think fishing could be 5 times better than what it is today
or even in the 70's.

those are my thoughts.

[capesams]

gas...big winds every day=sloppy seas..pee soup fog...I'd say gas is the biggest reason...always see the horde's of boats on trailers all summer long,big boats....seen maybe 13 small boats all year on the road..tackle shops are complaining about no business..roads are clear for the most part...people are staying home.