From The Billfish Foundation...
Government Denies Current Longline Permits for Atlantic Closed Zone
Government Chartered Longline Vessel Will Conduct Research
Future Access Still an Issue
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has denied issuing Exempted Fishing Permits (EFP) to 13 pelagic longline vessels to fish within closed zones off the east coast of Florida.
The recreational fishing community expressed strong opposition to the permit application noting that the zones were closed to provide protection for critical habitat for juvenile swordfish, sailfish, blue marlin and white marlin. At the time the agency considered the permits, it was reassessing white marlin under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Longlining in the closed zone would have increased white marlin mortality, as well as that of other species, so it made no sense to approve a “federal action” that would have negatively impacted white marlin. The recreational fishing community applauds the agency for its decision to close the zones in 2000 and now for denying the EFPs.
We're not out of the woods yet...
Even so, the issue is not settled on closed zone access for longline vessels. The agency will conduct research on a chartered longline vessel that will fish within the east coast closed zone. This study, identical in purpose to the purposal put forward in the longline permit application, will assess the effectiveness of recently required circle hooks to reduce bycatch mortality on longline vessels. Agency conducted research will likely employ fewer vessels, possibly only one, with a scientist on board to collect data on bycatch caught with circle hooks. The agency then will evaluate the data and, depending upon results, may issue proposed actions relative to the closed zone.
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Virginia Beach Sport Fishing > VBSF.net Sport Fishing Forums > Offshore, Gulf Stream & Canyons (Ocean City MD to Hatteras NC)
QUOTE (skinnys-kid @ Aug 9 2007, 07:28 PM)
From The Billfish Foundation...
Government Denies Current Longline Permits for Atlantic Closed Zone
Government Chartered Longline Vessel Will Conduct Research
Future Access Still an Issue
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has denied issuing Exempted Fishing Permits (EFP) to 13 pelagic longline vessels to fish within closed zones off the east coast of Florida.
The recreational fishing community expressed strong opposition to the permit application noting that the zones were closed to provide protection for critical habitat for juvenile swordfish, sailfish, blue marlin and white marlin. At the time the agency considered the permits, it was reassessing white marlin under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Longlining in the closed zone would have increased white marlin mortality, as well as that of other species, so it made no sense to approve a “federal action” that would have negatively impacted white marlin. The recreational fishing community applauds the agency for its decision to close the zones in 2000 and now for denying the EFPs.
We're not out of the woods yet...
Even so, the issue is not settled on closed zone access for longline vessels. The agency will conduct research on a chartered longline vessel that will fish within the east coast closed zone. This study, identical in purpose to the purposal put forward in the longline permit application, will assess the effectiveness of recently required circle hooks to reduce bycatch mortality on longline vessels. Agency conducted research will likely employ fewer vessels, possibly only one, with a scientist on board to collect data on bycatch caught with circle hooks. The agency then will evaluate the data and, depending upon results, may issue proposed actions relative to the closed zone.
Government Denies Current Longline Permits for Atlantic Closed Zone
Government Chartered Longline Vessel Will Conduct Research
Future Access Still an Issue
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has denied issuing Exempted Fishing Permits (EFP) to 13 pelagic longline vessels to fish within closed zones off the east coast of Florida.
The recreational fishing community expressed strong opposition to the permit application noting that the zones were closed to provide protection for critical habitat for juvenile swordfish, sailfish, blue marlin and white marlin. At the time the agency considered the permits, it was reassessing white marlin under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Longlining in the closed zone would have increased white marlin mortality, as well as that of other species, so it made no sense to approve a “federal action” that would have negatively impacted white marlin. The recreational fishing community applauds the agency for its decision to close the zones in 2000 and now for denying the EFPs.
We're not out of the woods yet...
Even so, the issue is not settled on closed zone access for longline vessels. The agency will conduct research on a chartered longline vessel that will fish within the east coast closed zone. This study, identical in purpose to the purposal put forward in the longline permit application, will assess the effectiveness of recently required circle hooks to reduce bycatch mortality on longline vessels. Agency conducted research will likely employ fewer vessels, possibly only one, with a scientist on board to collect data on bycatch caught with circle hooks. The agency then will evaluate the data and, depending upon results, may issue proposed actions relative to the closed zone.
Great info Don and it will be even better news if they close it permanently.Conch
Great news for Florida but the longliners have the coast of Virginia saturated. Would like to see more closed areas.
There's no room in the ocean for gear that kills everything indiscriminately. Longlining needs to be a thing of the past!
We need to take a page from Florida's playbook. They've banned longliners and netters. We need to do the same!!
Lets just hope they never ban sportfishing. Some of the organizations that support banning commercial fishing would like to see all fishing go away.
Similar thing with hunting. Alot of deer hunters are supporting a ban on hunting with dogs, well so are the anti-hunting groups. I just hope it doe not snowball. Im sure in our lifetime we will have to step up and defend our right to hunt and fish.
The friends of animals freaks are out there. I love animals, but I also love to drop the hammer on a flock of ducks or a rather large whitetail.
Look at the Mike Vick thing, It's not a cool thing for him to do that dog fighting junk. Ill say this though, I would rather hear about a guy shooting dogs than to hear one more story about stupid people that have a pit bull dog and it kills their child.
If Mike Vick had a son killed by his pit bull he would still be playing ball.
I think we have our priorities screwed up.
Sorry Don.
Similar thing with hunting. Alot of deer hunters are supporting a ban on hunting with dogs, well so are the anti-hunting groups. I just hope it doe not snowball. Im sure in our lifetime we will have to step up and defend our right to hunt and fish.
The friends of animals freaks are out there. I love animals, but I also love to drop the hammer on a flock of ducks or a rather large whitetail.
Look at the Mike Vick thing, It's not a cool thing for him to do that dog fighting junk. Ill say this though, I would rather hear about a guy shooting dogs than to hear one more story about stupid people that have a pit bull dog and it kills their child.
If Mike Vick had a son killed by his pit bull he would still be playing ball.
I think we have our priorities screwed up.
Sorry Don.
Yes be careful what you wish many want all fisherman off the water, I suppose they haven't got tired of polluted,cheaper Chinese Seafood and of course the Vegans and PETA types that don't eat meat, catch & release is a sin to these folks.
Circle hooks may prevent immediate death but most pelagic's need to swim to breath and hanging there on any hook also makes them susceptible to predation.
Be careful when viewing the rhetorical forecast of gloom & doom regarding Billfish.
Florida also has placed severe limits to closure's on Rec.'s especially wreck fishing.I have been guilty from Carolina to the Chesapeake of filling my cooler yrs ago with big Blue fish, big Red or BlackDrum fish I don't eat or killing 25-35 Tuna's 45-60 lbs. in a day way more than could be responsibly consumed, or a Marlin to hang it on a wall.Thanfully since the late 70's the ways of old spawned a strong conservation attitude due to leadership of some VIMS students and teachers who were also avid angler's.
The Florida situation was so far differnt in regard to ours prime fishin grounds so close to mainland,the enormous amount of Comm. and Rec.'s who also sold some of their catch to pay for their hobbie and the abundance of the resource yrs. ago.Technology, bigger boats, the advent of chain seafood restaurants the motivation was intense and profitable.Sadly stewardship and good resource managment wasn't an issue.
According to a government conservation activest,I believe his name is Jim
Lyons,excuse if name is incorrect, his group predicted several yrs. ago that White Marlin would be extinct wihtin 5 yrs. along the Atlantic seaboard.Well that prediction has proven wrong and past the predicted date.
The last few yrs. from Carolina north the Marlin fishin has actually improved or let's say the reported catch & release and tournaments have shown an increase.
Remember many folks enjoy the tablefare and don't have the option of boating out and cathing their fish of choice.
Commercial fishing has it's place in our world as long as the resource can support the harvest which needs continued attention, realistic, rational and logical approaches.
Understand that managment groups measuring stick for all marine species is primaraly based on historic Comm. catches since rec.'s don't report. This method or model is obviously antiquated and academic guesswork. All the graphs and charts predicting the density or health of biomass is statistical consensus not science. Science is fact not consensus in any area of study. That said be careful what conservation or managment reports that proclaim any definitive measure because fish can't be counted. We can't even count illegal aliens on land much less a stealth species.
Limited access to lonlginer's geograhicaly,extend the EEZ to keep foriegn vessels out, limit available liscense, gear restriction(miles of hooks is rediculous).In fact
some of the local small boat Commercials use rod and electric reels. I'd give'em their greenstick favoring stricter limits on longlining.Commercials are a very restricted group every trip is reported,gear type,time on water and location
Bycatch is another paramount issue that can be better monitored.All bycatch killed shold not be discarded but brought to the dock measured and put to use. This will eliminate the overall holding capacity of each vessel better serving the resource.
Rec. bycatch should be addressed as well.Why throw away a gut hooked dead fish especially undersized Flounder.Make the quota based on overall poundage while respecting length's and report what you catch to better serve the Science and the resource.
Sorry for the rant folks. Harvest only what you eat, respect the resource, be good
and responsible stewards and always be thankful for the endowment granted by our creator.
God Bless America.
Circle hooks may prevent immediate death but most pelagic's need to swim to breath and hanging there on any hook also makes them susceptible to predation.
Be careful when viewing the rhetorical forecast of gloom & doom regarding Billfish.
Florida also has placed severe limits to closure's on Rec.'s especially wreck fishing.I have been guilty from Carolina to the Chesapeake of filling my cooler yrs ago with big Blue fish, big Red or BlackDrum fish I don't eat or killing 25-35 Tuna's 45-60 lbs. in a day way more than could be responsibly consumed, or a Marlin to hang it on a wall.Thanfully since the late 70's the ways of old spawned a strong conservation attitude due to leadership of some VIMS students and teachers who were also avid angler's.
The Florida situation was so far differnt in regard to ours prime fishin grounds so close to mainland,the enormous amount of Comm. and Rec.'s who also sold some of their catch to pay for their hobbie and the abundance of the resource yrs. ago.Technology, bigger boats, the advent of chain seafood restaurants the motivation was intense and profitable.Sadly stewardship and good resource managment wasn't an issue.
According to a government conservation activest,I believe his name is Jim
Lyons,excuse if name is incorrect, his group predicted several yrs. ago that White Marlin would be extinct wihtin 5 yrs. along the Atlantic seaboard.Well that prediction has proven wrong and past the predicted date.
The last few yrs. from Carolina north the Marlin fishin has actually improved or let's say the reported catch & release and tournaments have shown an increase.
Remember many folks enjoy the tablefare and don't have the option of boating out and cathing their fish of choice.
Commercial fishing has it's place in our world as long as the resource can support the harvest which needs continued attention, realistic, rational and logical approaches.
Understand that managment groups measuring stick for all marine species is primaraly based on historic Comm. catches since rec.'s don't report. This method or model is obviously antiquated and academic guesswork. All the graphs and charts predicting the density or health of biomass is statistical consensus not science. Science is fact not consensus in any area of study. That said be careful what conservation or managment reports that proclaim any definitive measure because fish can't be counted. We can't even count illegal aliens on land much less a stealth species.
Limited access to lonlginer's geograhicaly,extend the EEZ to keep foriegn vessels out, limit available liscense, gear restriction(miles of hooks is rediculous).In fact
some of the local small boat Commercials use rod and electric reels. I'd give'em their greenstick favoring stricter limits on longlining.Commercials are a very restricted group every trip is reported,gear type,time on water and location
Bycatch is another paramount issue that can be better monitored.All bycatch killed shold not be discarded but brought to the dock measured and put to use. This will eliminate the overall holding capacity of each vessel better serving the resource.
Rec. bycatch should be addressed as well.Why throw away a gut hooked dead fish especially undersized Flounder.Make the quota based on overall poundage while respecting length's and report what you catch to better serve the Science and the resource.
Sorry for the rant folks. Harvest only what you eat, respect the resource, be good
and responsible stewards and always be thankful for the endowment granted by our creator.
God Bless America.
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