I bet the sports fishing industry brings in lots more money than commercial fishing.
It does, and not just to government. It brings in many more dollars to many more people and there's no way that this will ever change, unless the commercial guys ruin the fishery for everyone - which they have the potential to do - then we all lose. Commercial guys make a living by removing as many fish as possible from the ocean. Sports guys make a living by having as many fish remain in the ocean as possible. Now which is really the long term business friendly and opportunity friendly solution?