Carry
That's all exactly right. Except the 40 boats on any good night. I've counted well over 100 many nights. I've even noticed that the fishing is tougher now since recreational swordfishing has been booming. I've had plenty of nights limiting out and some where you couldn't buy a bite. Even on nights when I have gone 3 for 3, I have never taken more than two. I have gone 2 for 2 and released 1 as well. This fishery is still in "recovery". I'd like to see the size limit go to 50" and the recreational limit got to 2 per boat. 3 is not necessary. It is in my opinion, excessive. I also think the third fish would be the one leaning some towards illegal sales. Obviously the honorable sportsman wouldn't sell any. But 3 swords = 1 hell of a lot of meat! If the sword numbers were thriving and there was data to show it then maybe 3 per boat. With the booming popularity swordfishing is experiencing I just don't see that happening. There are a lot of recreational boats out now and the numbers are only continuing to grow. That, coupled with the easy access on how to successfully catch these fish, there slow reproduction rate and excellent table fare = lot's of boated fish. Time will tell that is certain.