I think the SAFMC knows they screwed the pooch on ARS. Each time they do this they scratch their butts for a couple of years and then announce that they have “restored the biomass” and high 5 each other. I would like to see each fisher show up at a meeting and bring pics of the ARS they have caught while targeting other species.
Also , my feeling on snowys, tiles, yellow edge, warsaws, SH grouper and other deep water grouper is that there is A LOT!!! of deep water out there. Nobody has any idea how many fish are out there beyond 500’ Not even Waugh
You are right on all counts natureboy. With Red Snapper, there are plenty of fish under ten years old. They want plenty of fish over 30 years old so they can mismanage that fishery for decades before claiming the stock is completely rebuilt. Would you be willing to take some pictures of your crew releasing fish suffering from barotrauma with decent assist devices and submit them along with public comments asking the council to reduce the discard mortality rates based on the fact more fishermen are using this gear? Imagine the pressure we could put on the council if hundreds of fishermen did the same thing. We can take control of how our fisheries are managed if we coordinate our efforts and message.