The Facts Only
After the moratorium was lifted, both recreational and commercial catches were even at about 7 million pounds each per year coastwide in or about 1995. Commercial catches are still about that number. Recreational catches in 2006 were about 30 million pounds and are currently about 25 million pounds.
The stock (total abundance) is currently about 52 million fish with the threshold set at 32 million fish. Fish stocks as you know have ups and downs and we have seen the abundance drop from 70 million fish in 2004 to where we are now. Is the fishing getting worse - yes - but still way above target.
You may have seen the best of the best, and that is a fact that bothers us recreational fisherman.
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