I agree to what you're saying to an extent as I tend to be "pro-conservation" for a fisherman, but their broad based studies are flawed due to the geographic nature of our state.

Up here in NE FL, if you're going bottom fishing it's hard to NOT catch snapper.  You have to fish very large baits that can fit in a grouper's bucket mouth, or small ones for trigs (but then get chickens anyway) and still pull up a hoss snapper.

We prob catch 20/1 snapper / grouper, but the latter is the one that's legal (prob because areas south this ratio is reversed).... Also, they need to shut it down 100% commercially if they really want to improve the stocks.

I think there should be spawning season closures on most fish, but regs should be realistic also

anyway.... looks like the population is safe in NE FL this weekend

FRIDAY
North northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 6 to 8 feet
with occasional seas up to 10 feet. A chance of showers.

FRIDAY NIGHT
Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts to
around 35 knots. Seas 7 to 9 feet with occasional seas up to
11 feet building to 8 to 11 feet with occasional seas up to
14 feet after midnight. Showers likely.

SATURDAY
East northeast winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts to
around 35 knots. Seas 9 to 12 feet with occasional seas up to
15 feet. A chance of showers.

SATURDAY NIGHT
East northeast winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts
to around 35 knots. Seas 8 to 11 feet with occasional seas up to
14 feet. A slight chance of showers.

SUNDAY
East northeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 6 to 9 feet
with occasional seas up to 11 feet. A chance of showers.