Yes, and that was the view point some of us raised. Particularly because the data was clearly showing the average age of fish actually out there to catch is now 13 years...meaning, you won't see many fish under 115cm, unless you live and fish in areas where the smaller fish are more predominant - such as QCI (data shows clearly the average size of fish in QCI is vastly smaller than WCVI areas - particularly around the south Island. Voting for 2 small fish IMO was not going to match the available fish, making it more probable that Canada could actually leave rec TAC in the water. It was argued that all we had to do was change locations and go to the chicken ranches to troll them up. I would have agreed to that prior to last season which was an eye opener to how quickly the age/size composition was changing. For example, out on the traditional chicken ranch areas I fish we were not finding small fish as in prior seasons. In fact, we were trolling up fish well over the new 115cm size. Perhaps it was a one year shift, but what if it is not?
However, as stated earlier...it is what it is. The SFAB process is a democratic process and we have to respect the voices that spoke. We can't change it today, other than next year if you didn't like the 2 small fish, you best get involved and add your voice to question the Options Tables. Ask for 1 fish to be properly modelled. Ask for early input to see what various options look like so you can make your preferences well known.
We also need more robust data modelling to look at what a 1 fish option would do up in QCI for people on multiple day trips. My intel says that 70 to 80% of the guided guests are going home with their 2 fish. Added together those 2 fish are likely more TAC than a 1 fish option. If it was only 1, they might try to target larger fish, but in reality if they drag up a 30 pound fish that one is not getting released. My theory (hopefully backed up by data if we collect it) is that going to 1 fish will reduce the TAC.
