[tacticalogic]

It sounds like the politicians simply looked at it from the standpoint of where they stood to get the most tax revenue.

Sport fishing probably brings more tourism, and results in more money spent per fish caught than commercial net fishing, which translates to more tax dollars collected.

They'll throw their own citizens that make their living off of commercial fishing under the bus for the promise of more tax money collected from out of state tourists.

[bksanders]

Right on Tactician - It's tax revenue. Did you take the time to look at how the "geniuses" derived their numbers.
Apparently one pound of commercial fish equals 300 pounds of recreational fish.
Perhaps the commercial fishermen need to lure (pardon the pun) the "Sportsmen" onto their vessels?
Kinda like taking a cruise on a freighter.

[C. Edmund Wright]

It sounds like the politicians simply looked at it from the standpoint of where they stood to get the most tax revenue. Sport fishing probably brings more tourism, and results in more money spent per fish caught than commercial net fishing, which translates to more tax dollars collected.

You are half right, but because you were only half right, you came to the wrong conclusion. By your own admission, sports fishing brings in more revenue. Now why is that? BECAUSE SPORTSFISHING CREATES A MUCH BIGGER ECONOMY FOR FAR MORE PEOPLE GIVING FORE MORE PEOPLE A CHANCE TO SHARE IN THE ECONOMY THAT THE OCEAN BRINGS. And yes, the result if more tax revenue, but like Reagan tax cuts, the primary reason to do it is to create more opportunity for more people.