Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Grey Trout Creel Limits Lowered

Catches of gray trout, also known as weakfish, have been strictly regulated under the ASMFC (Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission) for several years and grey trout stocks were considered nearly recovered in the late 1990s. By 2003 however, commercial and recreational landings had plummeted, and grey trout were reclassified as overfished again in 2005. Now in an effort to help make sure that populations never fall to critical levels again, North Carolina's recreational creel limit for gray trout has been lowered from 7 to 6 fish per day. Scientists aren't sure why catches fell so dramatically in 2005, many feel that the population decline may be due to natural mortality, possibly from a lack of food source, and increased predation or other environmental conditions. More the grey trout creel limit change is available from the Jacksonville Daily News.

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