NJ 2017 Fluke Reductions... AGAIN

[Destroyer]

Well, the powers that be (Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission) have reduced the NJ Fluke limits for 2017 from 5 to 3 fish and raised the minimum size to 19", up from the 2016 size of 18". This is a 30% reduction from last years (2016's) legal limits (which was a 27% reduction from 2015's limits) It is now estimated that the mortality rate (from hook wounds, exhaustion and infections) of undersized fish returned to the water will exceed the states total yearly legal catch. Further, most fish in the 18" and up size are female, so by raising the size it will target the reproductive rate for the species.
Honest to God, do these people that are "supposedly" protecting our fisheries have ANY idea what they are doing??? (Or do they just have their collective heads up their a$$es while they accept bribe money from the commercial fishing industry)!!!

[Striper80]

They know exactly what they're doing, that's the problem.

[Giorgio]

In the long haul, it's to stop all recreational fishing!!!!

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by Giorgio

In the long haul, it's to stop all recreational fishing!!!!

DING DING DING, we have a winner. They want to control and oversee every fish that leaves the water, and probably swim's to. There is no common sense taken into account, just greed.

[bgreene]

In time .....the rules may allow 1/2 of one fish ! ....:(

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by bgreene

In time .....the rules may allow 1/2 of one fish ! ....:(

They've already gone to boat limits on somefish down here. You can keep say 3 per boat or 1 per person, whichever is less.