Here is the deal in a short version — environmentals are in control of fisheries and the current administration that is in place is listening to them. I am all for conservation in fisheries, and there is no doubt many species need new rules. BUT, the problem as if often the human nature case, is the pendelum is swinging too far in one direction. For years there has not been enough legislation and laws and now they are going absolutely crazy. You will likely here the word "Magnuson Stevens Act" get thrown around.
I don't know exactly what it is, but in a nut, it says that all fisheries must be brough to "maximum sustainability" in the very near future- think they put a year on it, maybe 10',11', 12'. Thus, since this is place, fisheries panels as they put it "have no choice" but to shut down entire fisheries completely in order to bring them to "maximum sustainability" immediately. And therin lies the problem.
There's no middle ground. Instead of acknowledging that our Red Snapper population off of NC is depleted and shutting it down for 3, 6 or even 9 months, they shut it down completely because "they are forced" by the Magnuson Stevens Act. So, where we are right now is that the fisheries councils have all ready agreed to shut down ALL bottomfishing from middle Florida to the Frying Pan Shoals– the rough area covers depths from 80 feet o 150 feet. That is everything! No more Grouper, Snapper… AT ALL. It is complete closures of fisheries that will snowball into further regulation on other species. Even if you are not a bottom fisherman, if this goes forward, your King Mackerel, Dolphin, Wahoo, Cobia will be next.