JackC

Fast response. A few years back there was a lawsuit by environmental organizations that resulted in a decision that a fisheries management plan had to be able to have at least a 50% chance of achieving the "goal" for that fishery. The lawsuit was about fluke, but the facts of the matter apply to all our fisheries. Tog and scup also have a fairly dramatic reduction in landings for 2008.

All the fisheries management plans know have aggressive rebuilding goals, some think the goal is unobtainable for fluke.

So, while the fishery is getting better, its not meeting the "targets" established by the Fisheries Management Community. The farther you are from the goal, and the fewer years you have to reach the goal result in the cut backs that your seeing for 2008.

The RFA is trying to change the regulations (via congressional actions) to balance economic facts with management - the question being if it takes 20 years to reach the goal and we have a good fishery, why take such a dramatic cut. Right now everyone's hands are tied with a rigid rebuilding schedule.

Visit the RFA website for a better explanation, hopefully this makes sense.

Jack