no fishing within 5 miles--so that would get rid of all state waters commercial fisherman in most states--then all quota would go to the federal larger-sized boats and all fisheries would shift to a winter offshore harvest. I'd be totally against this.
What about rolling closures: close an area, let the fish spawn and then open it again. That seems to be working in the southern Gulf of Maine for groundfish.
It is a slippery slope. Something might make sense for one fishery but make no sense in a another. I contradict myself all the time. Like I think herring boats (which are all federal boats) should be required to fish at least 5 miles off the beaches. Yet when it comes to squid I feel differently. . .
....an increase at this point for com seems like a recipe for disaster.
A moratorium should be considered, IMHO.......its starting to seem inevitable anyway.
Hybrid Mode
