Dogfish,

I don't know how interesting the proposed closed areas are to divers; I was being a bit of a smart ass. But it seems like the proposed closed areas are the preferred bottom fishing areas. Does the plan describe anywhere the ecological need for closing any of these areas to bottomfishing in order to conserve bottomfish? That would seem to be the tripwire criterian for closure. Otherwise, why? For Jennings?

Complete closures are one way to increase conservation if it's necessary. Another is reduced limits. Another is reduced seasons. Complete closures are typical management actions when less restrictive measures won't achieve the necessary conservation objective.

Sg