Such short-lived fluctuations are common in fish populations. But Goodyear's assessment is based on data stretching back 20 years, collected over the entire Gulf of Mexico. He says fishers aren't wrong, but that they haven't analyzed the big picture. Scientists and managers must look at the long term. They want to maintain the size of the fishing fleet and keep the fish population at sustainable levels, so that revenues remain consistent and there are enough fish year after year.
Fishers usually have their eye on the short term.
Because many fishing fleets are too big, the pressure is great to fish as much and as quickly as possible, even when populations are low. Moving a decimal point in a scientific assessment can mean the difference between recovery and virtual extinction. If you err on the side of conservation, you're attacked. Fishing industry groups now routinely attack assessments that don't favor their goals, and they often succeed in delaying and sometimes torpedoing measures to protect fish populations. If an industry is big enough, it can appeal to members of Congress.