Looks like they're opening up Schoolies (27 - 46") for the new season (effective 1 June)...1 schoolie and 2 large school - medium giant 47 - 72

https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/other/bft%20spe...e%204-04-07.pdf

Sweet

Seeing as I can only catch school BFT, this is good news.

That appears to be only a proposal and not an amendment.

I want a couple of those "giant" ones - 73" or greater.

This is a step in the right direction if passed.

This means to me that the first fish is always gaffed. I do get a little gaff happy in the boat. (So does Bob).

Break out the wasabi.

Yes I do...I so rarely get to gaff a fish anymore...I think I"m gonna sell my boat and become a professional boat ho !.....it's alot of fun....Bob

Im with you Bob. I probably would be able to fish more if I did not have a boat to work on.

Eric

I went to the industry meeting March 20, in Ocean City for trying to come up with an agreeable quota for the different states and times of the year these fish are here. The 229 mt total and breakdown of the stock shown on the NMFS site was exactly what they gave us at the meeting. I posted this a short while back on this forum. If they open this up this early, that would be great for us here since these fish are usually here through July. One problem, when you look at the way that is broken down, 119 mt is not that many fish. (check the scrapbook on my web site, of the arial shot of the HIGH HOPES, this is a pic of part of a 500mt school, the largest I ever saw,from a purse seine spotter plane pilot) What happens if this quata is caught up before these fish migrate north? Your first reply might be , oh well, too bad for the rest of the guys up north,right? Think about this, if that did happen, how do you think people from other ports would respond say next year? When I attended my first meeting I wanted a fair breakdown for states, ensuring that we would get a fair share of the big ones during the winter months, so we could fish for them in the a.m. , and come in to the beach and fish for rock in the pm. I never thought I would be involved in politics when I began my business here in 1978. I am still greatfull to part of this industry. This is a great place to live. What do you guys think?

I agree with you 100% Dave. In order to preserve our right to keep bluefin in Virginia, we need to safeguard that same right for the anglers in New York by seeking an equitable division of the available quota for all involved. Thank you for your efforts in that direction. Keeping track of the ins and outs of ICCAT and the quota allocation system is a full time job in itself. Your efforts are appreciated.

It looks like they did a fair job insplitting up the split of the BFT...they are looking at

a total quote of 127MT for the angling category for school BFT (27 - 43) which I'm sure will be the most caught of these fish with a split of

45.8MT to the north described as north of 39.18N and 59.2MT to the southern states, this leave a 22MT in reserve....


they're proposing a split for the large school, small medium 27 - 73 between the north and south...68MT to the north and 76 MT to the south...

so to me..it looks like they're trying to be fair as far as the amount of fish able to be caught between the north and the south. Plus I don't think the allocated limit of BFT will be caught here in the virginia area.....historically the quote allocated has not been met by any of the categories defined by ICCATT.....Bob

I would attach the document that breaks out the distribution of weight but I cannot upload a PDF file.....


Dave...we appreciate you taking up the fight your father had and feel safe that you will keep things fair for the Virginia fishing area. It is a great thing you are doing...can't say enough....

now..I"m off to South Carolina for a party Saturday and then Otter and I are making a power run to Leland NC to pick up Still Think'n from the beauty Parlor....should have her home Sunday afternoon.....Happy Easter everybody !>.....Bob

Bob, I just finished responding to the Ad- Hoc committee's e-mail with NMFS' proposal that you posted, your info is correct. This sounds great, I'd love to see us get a good run of fish this year. One of the dilemmas of trying to work out quotas and allocations is that this might look great on paper, but what stock SIZE of fish we actually get is what we really have to work with. I hope we get an interesting mix this year. Wouldn't that be fun?

dave - that is an awesome shot of the high hopes and that school of bluefin! absolutely killer!!

doubt you remember me, but we are good friends of a high school buddy of yours steve and cindy k, who are hanging out in cuba these days. it is really great to have you on the site!

- bo

Capt Dave.....If any of my first two early early excursions out to the Cigar area are indicative of what we are going to see this year...most all of the fish were cookie cuter 43 - 45 inch fish...we had a 47 and 48 two weeks ago and last weekend all were in the just under range.....these fish were in DDDEEEEEEPPP water....over 500 Fathoms...unusual to find them out there with the Swordfish long line gear all around.....Bob