Deepest thanks to both Caleb and Eric, who as usual have specific knowlege grounded in science to contribute. I post this sort of question from time to time in part as a self-check against becoming one of those armchair biologists who shouts a lot and doesn't know what he's talking about.
One note to Eric, though: in MA the recreational and commercial sizes are not alligned, so the sudden abundance of 28"ers will not ease commercial pressure on the bigger cows. There was a proposal this year to harmonize the regs, but the commercial guys wanted to keep their limit up at 34".
Thanks again.