Fishermen divided on advisability of raising West Coast lingcod quota
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [East Bay Express] By Alastair Bland - July 17, 2014 -
A recent decision to increase the legal harvest limit of lingcod, a popular West Coast fish species, has sparked debate and some disagreement among fishermen and scientists. The lingcod population is higher than it's been in several decades, according to the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the Portland-based panel of scientists and fishermen that approved the regulation change in late June.
"This is an effort to increase angler opportunity," said John Devore, a staff officer with the council. According to Devore, biologists have estimated that California fishermen could sustainably harvest as many as 1,000 tons of lingcod per year, according to Devore.
Many sport fishermen don't want the increased harvest allowance...(more)
To Read Full Story Login Below.