I spoke with Russell Dunn of the National Marine Fisheries this morning about the status of the Circle Hook regulation suspension until the end of 2007. He stated all of the information has been gathered and they are looking for a ruling sometime in the first or second week of May. Russ also stated that if it is approved to suspend this issue until the end of Dec 2007 that there is a 30 day cooling off period. This means that if it is approved it will be effective thirty days after the ruling. Russ stated that if it is suspended then they will request from the Department of Commerce that the 30 day cooling off period be removed so that this ruling will take affect the day of the ruling.

If you would like to receive information regarding NMFS regulations and changes you can go to this site and sign up for the service:

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/newslist/

Thanks for the update and the link

Thanks for keeping us in the loop. That will be interesting for the Hatteras Village Offshore Open...I guess they'd have to follow the circle hook rule if NMFS's verdict doesn't come in in time?!?!

Thanks Surfperch!
Dave

I was wondering that myself. I'll be fishing in that tournament.

What about the classic? Are we still using circle hooks? Or will we go with J hooks depending on the ruling?

Thanks for the update Surfperch. Eric, we're still waiting on them. As it stands right now, we're planning on using circle hooks because they are the law as it reads right now. The delays of implementing the circle hook regulations are are temporary. When they give us an idea of what's going to be legal in August, the Tournament Comittee (Don - getreellures, Dave - billable ours, Mike - rockin robin and myself - Capt. Morgan ) will make the call and let everyone know. Right now it looks like another year grace period, and I would be in favor of using j-hooks if they are allowed by law.

Eric,
Like George said, we'll go with what's law. BUT, if the law is put on hold, we're thinking of having a substantial bonus for using circle hooks to really help promote the conservation of billfish.

It's also a chance to get experience on the new regs by using circle hooks...otherwise, we'll all be in the same situation next year fretting how to run circle hooks because of the "new law". The committee will have to look at all the aspects.
Tight lines!
DAve

If we can get them to work I am for them.I will be pulling a few in my spread and taking notes on the Hook set ratios of various Rig styles and hook types & sizes.I know others who will be doing the same.We need more Data.

That sounds great