[Dr. Bubba]

Who guided such an ill thought out and non scientific set of regs?
Arbitrary as s#!t

Nice to see Mr. Tolliver get passionate about an important issue.

Too Much

 

[jay b]

The " data research" that was done is totally BS and it's hard even for the federal government to dispute that. This is not much of a pier and surf fishery in this state but they can be caught off the beach ( isn't that right Andrew K ) on occasion.

If you ever get the opportunity to go fish for them they are without a doubt some of the hardest fighting fish and "pound for pound" are right up there with a Tuna or a Red Drum.

Look up the VSSA and join if you want but they have a poll to vote on the regulations/closures for this years Cobia fishing on their web site that combines the voice of a lot of state fishermen in Virginia.

 

[Hollybrooke]

Good article. VSSA polls are skewed toward boat limits and not what the VMRC is looking at or asking. They are getting a lot of participation though. What the VMRC is looking is the following.

1. Do you support increasing the minimum size cobia possession limit?
- No, leave the current regulation of 37in total length as is
- Yes, increase the minimum size limit to 40 in total length
- Yes, increase the minimum size limit to 42 in total length
- Yes, increase the minimum size limit to 44 in total length

2. Do you support establishment of boat limits for cobia in 2016?
- No, leave the current regulations as is
- Yes, establish a boat limit of 1 cobia per boat (possession limit of 1 per person/per day still applies)
- Yes, establish a boat limit of 2 cobia per boat (possession limit of 1 per person/per day still applies)
- Yes, establish a boat limit of 3 cobia per boat (possession limit of 1 per person/per day still applies)
- Yes, establish a boat limit of 4 cobia per boat (possession limit of 1 per person/per day still applies)
- Yes, establish a boat limit of 5 cobia per boat (possession limit of 1 per person/per day still applies)
- Yes, establish a boat limit of 6 cobia per boat (possession limit of 1 per person/per day still applies)

3. Do you support establishment of a variable fishing season for cobia?
A variable fishing season would permit VMRC fishery managers to open/close the cobia fishery season during the 2016 season after reviewing available fishery information regarding cobia harvest.
- No, I do not support the establishment of a variable fishing season
- Yes, I support the establishment of a variable fishing season

4. Do you oppose or support a prohibition on the use of a gaff to land cobia?
- I oppose the use of a gaff for cobia
- I support the use of a gaff for cobia

VSSA poll does not address all these issues. They do have a gaff poll. VSSA is probably going to be a good organization and having them is probably going to be a good thing. Time will tell.

 

[m30power]

Good article. VSSA polls are skewed toward boat limits and not what the VMRC is looking at or asking. They are getting a lot of participation though. What the VMRC is looking is the following.

1. Do you support increasing the minimum size cobia possession limit?
- No, leave the current regulation of 37in total length as is
- Yes, increase the minimum size limit to 40 in total length
- Yes, increase the minimum size limit to 42 in total length
- Yes, increase the minimum size limit to 44 in total length

2. Do you support establishment of boat limits for cobia in 2016?
- No, leave the current regulations as is
- Yes, establish a boat limit of 1 cobia per boat (possession limit of 1 per person/per day still applies)
- Yes, establish a boat limit of 2 cobia per boat (possession limit of 1 per person/per day still applies)
- Yes, establish a boat limit of 3 cobia per boat (possession limit of 1 per person/per day still applies)
- Yes, establish a boat limit of 4 cobia per boat (possession limit of 1 per person/per day still applies)
- Yes, establish a boat limit of 5 cobia per boat (possession limit of 1 per person/per day still applies)
- Yes, establish a boat limit of 6 cobia per boat (possession limit of 1 per person/per day still applies)

3. Do you support establishment of a variable fishing season for cobia?
A variable fishing season would permit VMRC fishery managers to open/close the cobia fishery season during the 2016 season after reviewing available fishery information regarding cobia harvest.
- No, I do not support the establishment of a variable fishing season
- Yes, I support the establishment of a variable fishing season

4. Do you oppose or support a prohibition on the use of a gaff to land cobia?
- I oppose the use of a gaff for cobia
- I support the use of a gaff for cobia

VSSA poll does not address all these issues. They do have a gaff poll. VSSA is probably going to be a good organization and having them is probably going to be a good thing. Time will tell.

There are multiple VSSA polls going on and the recent ones correctly represent the options in front of the VMRC.