DEC does their creel survey to monitor total fish taken, but nothing specifically on derbies.
I'm guessing, but the take on longer running derbies like the LOC aren't that big after the first few outings because there's a leader board. If you're not going to eat it and have no hope of placing, I think a lot might probably go back in, in hopes of catching a bigger one. It also has minimum weights. Pro/Ams are a different thing. Vince covered that well.
Tom B.
(LongLine)