Comment from Mark Doyle

Dear Sirs oor Madam, I have been a charter boat operator for over 25 years in New England. It is clear the biomass that migrates to New England durinng the summer months has dropped significantly. These fish are under great pressure as they migrate north. They are now targeted by "head boats" that would usually fish for GOM Cod. Now with fuel costs so high 1/2 day boats can no longer afford to run offshore and now target inshore Bass and Bluefish. I have seen six or more fishing Ipswich Bay that total over 1,000 lines in the water "fishing out" that are in a matter of days. Combine this with increased pressure from recreational inshore fishing up and down the coast I contest the validaity of the data presented. Fish caught over the last several seasons are of adult length and weight. Large schools are more sporadic and school size fish are now rarely seen. I ask the limit to be at six fish per person per trip.