Increase In Commercial Fluke Quota

[live bait]

An article in the local news paper, today about the DEC increasing the commercial daily fluke quota 400% to 280lbs a day, until Aug 1st when it will likely be reduced to 140lbs a day. The DEC stated that the increase was due to the fact that the commercial quota had not been met, the present quota as stated in the article is between 50 to 70lbs per day. I understand that with the low present quota 50lbs a day most likely doesn't make a profit for the trip, but isn't it possible that the quota not being met is due to the lack of fluke in our waters. Most rec. fisherman are seeing the worst fluke season in many years, & are having trouble putting a keeper on the deck. How does increasing the commercial quota 400% make any sense.
John

 

[WhatKnot]

Interesting question, maybe some more knowledgeable persons than myself will chime in.

 

[live bait]

I just wanted to make some sense of this, & not make it anti commercial fisherman.
John

 

[Capt13]

Most rec. fisherman are seeing the worst fluke season in many years, & are having trouble putting a keeper on the deck. How does increasing the commercial quota 400% make any sense.

This has been going on for years .......

if you are catching too many, you are depleting the stocks : Tighten up regs.

If the landings are below what was expected : relax the regs.

Black Sea Bass are a classic example as well. For a bunch of "Ph deed" marine biologists fishery management guys, my opinion is their intelligence and arrogance get in the way of their ability to make common sense decisions.

 

[Roccus7]

You’ve highlighted one of the most illogical SOPs of fisheries management.