Selective Harvest on Hybrid Species?

[wormandbobber]

Fishermen "tend to think that fish growth is governed by the same rules as other animals. In contrast, fish have evolved and are genetically programmed to be very plastic and adaptive...." We have to remember that a fish's maximum growth potential is determined by its genetics; however, a fish's actual growth and size is a result of its environment. An environment in which individual fish have a larger share of the total available food because there are fewer fish will allow individual fish higher growth rates.

Also, when moderate harvest of "trophy" size fish is happening on a yearly basis, under good growth environments, younger fish will quickly grow to replace those harvested within the same year. Studies have shown that even when 80-90% of the "trophy" fish are harvested, they can be replaced each year and there are still some left to grow even larger. But, again, this all depends on the environment....fish will grow to match their environment.
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