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I don't know about MPA in Fl or the east coast. There they seam to favor actual fisheries management science based conservation like smaller bag limits, slot limits, shorter seasons, and gear restrictions. As oposed to just shutting the door on user groups. They some times have reserves to benefit a certain specie, like crabs or oysters. But other species are harvestable in those areas. They have the same conflicts between sport and commercial interests, and it can get ugly. I worked for the North Carolina Division of marine fisheries for a while last year. After being brought up in So Cal it was a shock to see gill nets and gigantic pound nets still in use. In NC you, non commercial licence holder, can buy a really cheap permit to use a gill net. They let you go "fishing" for personal consumption with a gill net. As for the reds in NC, they passed a bunch rules to protect them and it really pissed of the inshore commercial netters. They still catch a load of them " accidently" while fishing for other species. As for sports anglers, you can take 1 fish per day between 18 and 27 inches. In some states you can buy a special trophy permit to take 1 over sized red a year. But not in NC. The big ones are off limits to take. There is an amazing catch and release fishery around the out banks and Nuess River. They are tough as nails and the mortality is very low. A 50lb red is an impressive fish. Well I ran on, but you get the idea. And reds are might fun. Mike
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