The hook line and sinker crowd are not depleting the fish population, its the commercial factory ships that are. A trawler probably brings in 100 times more than the typical party boat. My hometown had about 80 party boats in its heyday, now it isn’t worth taking anyone fishing as the cost of a fare exceeds that which you would spend at a fish market for a couple of pounds of fish. Who wants to pay $40 and only be allowed to keep 2 fish of a certain size or type? Thank God I grew up in a time when there were no factory ships, and there was an abundance of fish close to shore.
A lot of the trawlers are foreign.
Heard on the radio this morning that this is a voluntary survey. We plan to volunteer non-participation.
The stats generated will be just what is needed to legitimize the next step.
More cost, less access, less freedom, growth of government.