US Billfish Conservation Act becomes Law

Great news for Marlin, Sailfish and Spearfish !
On October 5, 2012, President Obama signed the Billfish Conservation Act into law, effectively banning the importation of all billfish into the continental United States. The signing marks the culmination of a united undertaking by a diverse coalition of angling and conservation organizations working in cooperation with a bipartisan group of congressional champions.  Although there are no commercial fisheries targeting billfish in the US, the US has been the largest importer of billfish in the world, importing about 30,000 billfish annually.
More details here on the IGFA Website here.

More of these guys around for future generations

There are many sustainable alternatives for restaurants and retailers to offer in place of billfish; thus most restaurants have taken marlin and other billfish off the menu.

The Billfish Foundation Australia Experience

The Billfish Foundation adds Australia sportfishing trip to The TBF Experience

25^th Anniversary membership drive adding regional billfish adventures worldwide

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. USA. – The magic of fishing Australia’s Sunshine Coast in Cairns has been added as the newest prize trip in celebrating The Billfish Foundation’s 25th anniversary.

The program is aptly named The TBF Experience in the spirit of highlighting TBF’s focus on conservation through sportfishing. The science-based foundation is giving away fishing trips to some of the best fishing destinations in the world; an event that’s more than a membership drive, it’s a celebration of the sportfishing lifestyle. The drive runs into the fall of 2011.

“Besides our three previously announced trips in Guatemala, Panama and the U.S. which can be won by TBF members across the globe we’re adding more exciting sportfishing trips off continents around the world like Australia,” said TBF Science and Policy Specialist Elliott Stark who is coordinating the Silver Anniversary trips.

The TBF Experience at Cairns is a special trip available to South Pacific residents who join or renew their TBF membership (starting at $40) by October 1. TBF will draw one winner who, along with a guest, will join a TBF executive and Capt. Tim Richardson for two days (Nov. 21-22) of giant black marlin fishing on the Tradition out of Cairns, Australia. For more on the TBF Experience Australia, visit here .

“We’re reaching out to thank our membership base worldwide,” said Stark, ” there has never been a better time for those in Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu and throughout the South Pacific region to join TBF or to experience billfishing at its best.”

“More details of these exciting trip giveaways and membership premium program is on the TBF website here ,” said Stark.

Win Trips in U.S., Guatemala and Panama

“TBF is uniting the world through sportfishing. In addition to the Cairns trip open only to those in the South Pacific, we have three prize trips open to TBF members from around the world who join at certain levels. These trips, all with expert captains, are in three of the world’s greatest billfishing destinations.”

“At the $75 membership level there’s a one day Atlantic Sailfish trip with Capt. Bouncer Smith in Miami, Fla. USA. Those joining at the $250 level will be entered to win a two day, three night fishing package for Pacific Sailfish and blue marlin with Capt. Brad Philipps in Guatemala.

“And the winner of the $500 or higher member level (one chance per $500, two chances for $1,000, etc.) can be joined by three guests for a three day sportfishing trip off Panama’s Pearl Islands for black and blue marlin, Pacific sails, big dorado and yellowfin. That trip includes four nights and three days accommodations at the beautiful Hacienda del Mar on San Jose Island.”

“We’re pretty excited how this drive is turning out,” said Stark. “Simply joining or renewing your TBF membership between now and Oct. 26, at the levels listed, gets you in the running.”

Winners of the global trips will be drawn in October at TBF’s 25th Anniversary Dinner during the Fort Lauderdale Intl. Boat Show and trips will be scheduled for 2012. For more details on the trips, visit the TBF website at billfish.org or contact Elliott Stark at 954-938-0150 ext. 101.

Good News for Costa Rica Billfish

First hotels and restaurants in Costa Rica sign

agreement to support billfish conservation

Initial group of Central American hotels, resorts and restaurants set example for others in promoting sportfishing ecotourism by taking sailfish and marlin off their menus

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. USA. – The Billfish Foundation (TBF) entered into an agreement with its conservation partner, the Costa Rica Sport Fishing Federation (FECOPT) and four participating Hilton Worldwide hotels in Costa Rica, pledging to stop serving all sailfish and marlin.

Based on a socio-economic study released last year by TBF showing the huge economic value of sportfishing tourism to Costa Rica, the participating hotels adopted the ban on billfish from their restaurants in part to promote responsible and sustainable tourism in the nation.

The four properties include the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Costa Rica in Puntarenas, the DoubleTree Cariari by Hilton San Jose, the Hilton Papagayo Costa Rica Resort and Spa, and the Hilton Garden Inn Liberia Airport. The bold conservation move with the hotels and resorts came after two months of discussions with FECOPT Executive Director Enrique Ramirez.

“TBF is proud of the efforts by Enrique Ramirez who secured the participation of the four participating Hilton Worldwide properties in Costa Rica and explained the conservation and business benefits of the world’s sportfishing tourists, reaffirming Costa Rica’s stature as one of the world’s premier fishing destinations,” noted TBF Chief Scientist Dr. Russell Nelson. “We specially appreciate the foresight of the general managers at the participating Hilton Worldwide hotels in Costa Rica - Ricardo Rodriguez Gil, Laura Castagnini and Rui Dominguez - that supporting sportfishing conservation efforts are good for the oceans and good for business as well.”

“The participating Hilton Worldwide hotels in Costa Rica are leading the way for Costa Rica’s tourism industry to move toward new levels of support for sportfishing conservation practices,” said FECOPT’s Ramirez. “Using the impetus of our agreement with the participating properties we look forward to partnering with sustainable tourism tour leader Horizontes to let this precedent spread across the nation’s tourism industry.

TBF President Ellen Peel applauded the agreement as a new standard for voluntary conservation action in the private sector adding, “we’re very pleased to see tourism businesses and government tourism officials responding so positively to the facts and information presented by our socio-economic research conducted with the University of Costa Rica that clearly supports TBF’s message that good conservation can be good economics.”

TBF has been working with governments such as Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru and Panama to protect billfish, mainly from overfishing coastal fisheries by commercial interests, while implementing tag and release programs for sportsmen. Herbert Nanne of San Jose serves as TBF’s Central American Conservation Director.

Established 25 years ago, The Billfish Foundation is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations around the world. TBF's comprehensive network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs and sportfishing businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, TBF is able to work for solutions that are good for billfish and not punitive to recreational anglers. To reach Dr. Nelson call 561-449-9637 or visit www.billfish.org

The Billfish Foundation is out there right now trying to preserve our billfish for future generations. Consider becoming a valued member Its all you need do to help.

TBF Launches Conservation Plan with Peru

Yesterday Peru's President Allan Garcia and Minister of Production Rafael Rey finalized a Presidential Order that decommercializes marlins and sailfish - no further commercial harvest or sale will be allowed - and begins a national commitment to ocean conservation and the development of a sustainable sportfishing tourism industry. The plan will allow only catch-and-release recreational fishing and an allowance for world record attempts will be crafted in the near future.

TBF President Ellen Peel and Chief Scientist Russell Nelson met with the Garcia and Rey to observe the signing and make a commitment to continued TBF scientific support for Peru's visionary fisheries conservation and development project. "We are proud to stand with the great country of Peru as the world's eyes look to this extraordinary billfish conservation effort," said Peel. "We will continue to provide support to sustain and expand the impacts of this action." The completion of the Presidential Order, which has the effect of law, came after two weeks of work and negotiations between Nelson and Peruvian fisheries and marine science staff.

The action is intended to revitalize the once premier blue and black marlin sportfishery in the extremely productive area around Cabo Blanco on Peru's north coast. "Tell the angling world that we are back," said Minister Rey.

Visit the President's web site for details in Spanish: http://www.presidencia.gob.pe/


Pictured above: Dave Ferrell (Marlin magazine), President Garcia, Ministers of Production and Tourism Rafael Rey and Mercedes Araoz, and Ellen Peel discuss Peru's exciting billfishing future

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Goes to Online Billfish Reporting

Effective October 17 of this year, anglers should report non-tournament landings of Atlantic marlins, sailfish and swordfish to the NMFS online through the new web-based reporting system at http://www.hmspermits.gov.

To log on and report a swordfish or billfish landing anglers will to have their Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling or Charter/Headboat permit number handy, along with their trip date, catch and fishing gear information. A confirmation number will be provided after a successful complete report. Tournament landings information will continue to be provided to the NMFS by tournament directors. While switching to online reporting as the primary portal, the agency will continue to man the toll free phone number currently in use.

TBF reminds all billfish anglers that timely and accurate reporting of landings is a vital element of fisheries conservation and management.

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.

TBF appreciates the responsiveness of our recreational fishing community to this important issue and asks that you stay in touch with us for future developments.

Join TBF or renew your membership today!

Don't forget you can shop online for your tagging equipment and TBF apparel!

Please visit our website at www.billfish.org.

California Coastal Commission Requests Denial of Longline Permit

On Friday, August 10 the California Coastal Commission voted unanimously to oppose issuance of an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) to use longline gear off the U.S. West Coast. The finding that the issuance of such a permit is not consistent with California's Coastal Zone Management Plan places increased pressure on the Washington Headquarters of the National Marine Fisheries Service to deny the permit application, which was approved by the federal Pacific Fishery Management Council earlier this year.

TBF joined a coalition of environmental, sportfishing and small scale commercial fishing organizations to voice opposition to the permit at the Commission's meeting.

TBF has been leading the fight against any development of a longline fishery off the West Coast since 2000.

California Coastal Commission Considering Longline Permit

The California Coastal Commission (CCC) meets this week in San Francisco. It has just come to light that the CCC is considering the recently approved federal Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP), which authorizes one pelagic longline to fish off a portion of California's shores. The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) approved the federal permit, which still requires the approval of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The CCC has authority to make recommendations on federally approved actions that might impact species in state waters. TBF believes the CCC will oppose the federal action out of concern that species in state waters will be negatively impacted.

State officials realize the federal government is interested in increasing, on both coasts, the U.S. swordfish landings. The U.S. is currently importing more swordfish than is being caught by U.S. fleets. Thus the federal decision makers at all levels are expected to support the Council action authorizing the longline permit off the west coast. On the east coast the NMFS is working diligently to find ways to "reinvigorate" the commercial swordfish fishery.

The CCC is expected to take a vote on the position it will take on the federal action - to support or not support. The vote is scheduled for Friday, August 10^th. The meeting is taking place at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero at 5 Embarcadero Plaza between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. Anglers are urged to attend if at all possible. TBF has submitted comments consistent with our opposition expressed before the federal Council opposing the EFP in waters off California.

Atlantic Circle Hook Rule Postponed

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced the final rule suspending the mandatory circle hook requirements for participants fishing in Atlantic billfish tournaments effective May 11, 2007 through December 31, 2007.

THE CIRCLE HOOK REQUIREMENTS WILL BE REINSTATED, UNCHANGED ON JANUARY 1, 2008. These regulations require anglers fishing from HMS permitted vessels and participating in Atlantic billfish tournaments to use only non-offset circle hooks when deploying natural baits or natural bait/artificial lure combinations. (The use of J-hooks is allowed with artificial lures.) TBF encourages all anglers to practice using circle hooks in preparation for the reinstatement of the rule.

Please note: If your US state regulations are more restrictive than federal regulations, you must abide by the more restrictive regulations. At this time, TBF is only aware of such regulations being in place in North Carolina.

The final rule can be viewed by visiting http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/fishery_rules/2007/5-08-07%20BLF%20C-Hook%20FR%20Notice%20microcomp.pdf

Join TBF or renew your membership today! Don't forget you can shop online for your tagging equipment and TBF apparel!

Please visit our website at www.billfish.org.

NMFS Final Rule on Swordfish Management

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released its Final Rule today, June 7, 2007, for the U.S. swordfish fishery in an effort to provide additional opportunities for U.S. vessels to more fully harvest the domestic swordfish quota.

The rule includes:

Effective July 9, 2007

(1) An increase in retention limits for incidental swordfish permit holders to 30 fish, except for vessels participating in the squid trawl fishery, which would be limited to 15 swordfish.

(2) An increase in the bag limit per vessel to 4 in the HMS Angling category, but retains the 1 swordfish per person bag limit.

(3) An increase in retention for the HMS charter/headboat category from one swordfish per paying passenger up to a maximum of six per charter vessel and 15 per headboat.

Effective August 6, 2007

(4) Modifying vessel upgrading restrictions only for vessels that currently possess, or are eligible to renew, on August 6, 2007, Incidental or Directed Swordfish and Shark permits, as well as Atlantic Tunas Longline category permits. These vessels can be upgraded, or permits transferred, so long as the upgrade or permit transfer does not result in an increase in vessel size (LOA, GRT, and NT) of more than 35 percent, relative to the vessel first issued an HMS Limited Access Permit (baseline vessel). All horsepower upgrading restrictions for these vessels are removed.

Effective July 9, 2007

In addition, restrictions specifying that a vessel may be upgraded only once will be removed for all HMS Limited Access Permits. The agency will provide additional information to Limited Access Permit holders regarding eligibility for the modified vessel upgrading restriction in the future.

Join TBF or renew your membership today!

Don't forget you can shop online for your tagging equipment and TBF apparel!

Please visit our website at www.billfish.org.

Pressure from within the Calderon Administration May Force Changes to Shark Norma (NOM-029)

On Wednesday the Mexican fisheries agency, Conapesca, issued a press release in response to urgent advocacy efforts within sectors of the Mexican government by TBF and our Mexican conservation partners, including tens of thousands emails sent in opposition to the recently enacted "Shark Norma" – NOM-029. TBF, La Fundacion para la Conservacion de los Picudos (FCP), Seawatch and other conservation organizations have asked for specific changes in the regulations to prevent a new wave of longlining effort in the waters of the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez. The press release attempts to downplay criticisms and states that changes will be made to the new regulations to prohibit the commercialization of billfish and cites Mexican fisheries law (Articulo 13, La Ley de Pesca) to clarify that species protected by the 50 mile conservation zones are reserved for the exclusive use of the sport fishery and may not be taken by other than recreational fishing gear.

“We are pleased to see evidence that rational minds within the administration have looked to correct this terrible rulemaking effort by Conapesca,” said TBF’s Chief Scientist Dr. Russell Nelson, “but unfortunately experience has shown that promises made by Senor Corral are to be taken with a grain of salt.”

In December of 2003, at the beginning of his tenure as Mexico’s fisheries head, Ramon Corral announced that Mexico would ban longlines, factory ships, large drift gillnets and rescind all permits allowing any taking of billfish and dorado following scientific presentations on the impacts of longline and drift gillnet gear in La Paz and Cabo San Lucas. These actions never occurred. In January of this year, Corral and his senior staff met with Mexican Senator Luis Coppola, Nelson, Guillermo Alvarez of FCP, and Alejandro Robles representing a coalition of Mexican conservation groups focused on the Sea of Cortez. There he promised that the Shark Norma would not go into effect until new research was conducted to look at its biological impacts. “Corral announced the implementation of the new regulations as we were involved with scientists in La Paz developing a work plan to analyze the impacts,” said Nelson.

“We no longer can deal in good faith with Conapesca,” said TBF President Ellen Peel. "We are going to keep up the pressure on this issue until it is dealt with by Senator Coppola, Chair of the Tourism committee in the Mexican Senate, and we are still calling for a suspension of NOM-029 until all the required changes are formally in place.”

Click here for details on the Shark Norma and TBF's position.

Join TBF or renew your membership today! Don't forget you can shop online for your tagging equipment and TBF apparel! Please visit our website at www.billfish.org.

Mexico’s New Shark and Ray Fishing Regulations Threaten Billfish & Other Ocean Resources

Despite strong opposition from The Billfish Foundation (TBF) and scores of partners in Mexico, Mexican officials approved Regulation NOM -029 (Shark Norma). This regulation, promoted as a way to stop the over-exploitation of sharks and rays, was rejected by Mexico’s last two Presidents, but strongly supported by commercial fishing interests in Ensenada, Sinaloa, Sonora, Mexican Fisheries (CONAPESCA) and some Mexican and United States Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

The people of Baja California Sur, TBF and other NGOs believe that NOM-029 is a deeply flawed regulation, which will have devastating overfishing consequences for billfish, sharks and rays even though a finning prohibition is included for sharks and rays. Healthy and abundant ocean resources are very important to the eco-tourism based economy in the Cabo and adjacent region, thus heightening the conservation ethic among many individuals and businesses working with TBF. At the same time commercial longline fishing interests have long lobbied for the regulations liberalized permitting requirements, opening the flood gates to thousands of vessels. Hidden potential threats to further reduce marine resources in and around Baja California Sur are throughout the approved regulation.

TBF, along with other groups, will fight to rescind these bad rules. TBF President Ellen Peel stated: “ We are working with our friends in Mexico to look for legal ammunition against the Norma-29, we are looking towards federal legislation to overrule this threat to ocean resources and we are continuing to network with conservation-minded Mexican friends ands supporters to overturn this foolish set of regulations.” Good conservation pays, irresponsible management is short sighted and causes everyone to lose.

If you fish in waters off Cabo and the Sea of Cortez or you support responsible management in those waters, let your voice be heard. Send your comments to


Felipe Calderon Hinojosa, Presidente de Mexico, felipe.calderon@presidencia.gob.mx

Cesar Nava, Secretario Particular, cesar.nava.vazquez@presidencia.gob.mx

Alberto Cardenas, Secretario Sagarpa, alberto.cardenas@sagarpa.gob.mx

Ramon Corral, Comisionado Nacional de Acuacultura y Pesca, rcorrala@conapesca.sagarpa.gob.mx

Saniago Creel Miranda, Coordinador del GPPAN, santiago.creel@pan.senado.gob.mx

Manlio Fabio Vbeltrones, Coordinador del PRI, beltrones@senado.gob.mx

Arturo Escobar, Senador PVEM, aescobar@senado.gob.mx

Luis Coppola Joffroy, Senador PAN, luis.coppola@pan.senado.gob.mx

Jorge Alfonso Ituurbide Gurerra, Tecnico Secretaria Partiular Presidencia, aiturbide@presidencia.gob.mx

Click here for the full story and contact information.

Join TBF or renew your membership today! Please visit our website at www.billfish.org.

Sailfish – Treat’em Right and they will live to fight another day

The Billfish Foundation (TBF) has done a lot to promote billfish conservation and has been instrumental in shifting past catch-and-kill practises to Tag & Release in most parts of the world. We fully support TBF and Tag & release all billfish from our game boats, the only exceptions being a fish that is clearly a National or World record.

TBF have noticed an increasing tendency nowadays for some anglers to lift a billfish (particularly sailfish) out of the water to photograph the angler with his catch.

If you choose to Tag & Release, there are four very good reasons not to lift your billfish out of the water:

1. To state the obvious – Fish can’t breathe out of the water and a billfish brought to the transom will almost certainly be, at the very least, ‘out of breath’. If you lift the fish out of the water, you are starving the fish of oxygen just when it needs it most. Imagine running up a flight of stairs and then trying to hold your breath when you get to the top.

2. Fish have a protective coat of slime on their bodies that helps them fight infection and parasites. In hauling out a large fish and handling (even with gloves), you will inevitably damage or remove some of this coating.

3. The billfish’s skeleton is designed to support the fish in water – not in air. If you haul a sailfish over the transom and try to hold it up, you are probably causing internal damage which may later kill the fish.

4. A thrashing billfish in the cockpit? Are you nuts? It’s just going to injure itself and maybe you too! If the fish is so exhausted that it can’t kick, lifting it out of the water and starving it of oxygen is likely to be the last straw.

We have, in the past removed a couple of sailfish from the water for photographs. We don’t do it any more. Nowadays, we photograph all billfish in the water after the fish has been tagged and the hook removed. Photos are a wonderful reminder of past memories for our guests and even more so to see their catch gently swimming behind the boat before release. We recommend you consider following the advice of The Billfish Foundation not to remove your catch from the water.

The whole point of Tag & Release is to gather scientific information for future conservation purposes and to release the fish unharmed. If you haul a billfish out of the water, you are damaging and possibly killing the very thing you are trying to conserve and protect.

Not much sense in that is there?

Adrian on saltfishing.about.com

Things to Know Before You Go Charter Fishing

Things to Know Before You Go Charter Fishing
From Ron Brooks,
Your Guide to Saltwater Fishing.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Captain Adrian Watt in Fiji Gives us Some Tips on Planning a Charter Fishing Trip

Captain Adrian Watt was born on the island of Cyprus and graduated to his first rod & reel at the age of five. Having fished around the world from the Arabian Gulf to the North Sea and English Channel, he finally settled for the tropical waters of the South Pacific around the island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands. Director of Matava Resort Gamefishing, he skippers 'Bite Me', the resort's 31ft DeepVee Gamefishing vessel and thoroughly enjoys exploring the light and heavy tackle fishing around the island and Great Astrolabe Barrier Reef. An IGFA Certified Captain, he advocates tag & release and is a keen supporter of the IGFA and the Billfish Foundation.

Here are his tips for his boat - but they apply to literally every charter boat you may hire."

NMFS Re-Opens Comment Period on Exempted Fishing Permits

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has re-opened the comment period on a request for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) in the East Florida Coast and Charleston Bump closed zones. The extended comment period closed on April 25, 2007, but has been re-opened until 5 p.m. on June 20, 2007.

If approved, this exemption would allow 13 longline vessels to fish an area now closed to longlining in federal waters 40 miles north of Fort Pierce (~ 280 N. Latitude) and east of the axis of the Gulf Stream, continuing northward and east to the 100 fathom contour and the northern boundary of the Charleston Bump closed area.

TBF opposes the issuance of such an EFP as the intent of the permit is not scientific or experimental but is solely to allow longlines to fish in the closed area. The area closures to this gear were implemented to reduce the bycatch and mortality of juvenile swordfish, white and blue marlin and sailfish and they have succeeded at that goal. The NMFS recently allowed multi-hook buoy gear into these areas and there has yet to be an evaluation of the impacts and extent of commercial catch this gear will afford the industry. The closures have achieved the bycatch reduction goals and have created a dynamic and economically strong recreational swordfish fishery in an area previously devastated by commercial overfishing.

Click here to read the comments submitted by The Billfish Foundation.

You may submit comments to:

Email: SF1.030107C@NOAA.gov. Include the following in the subject line: “I.D. 030107C”

Mail: Please mark the outside of the envelope: “Comments on an EFP Application”

Michael Clark

Highly Migratory Species Division [F/SF1]

NMFS

1315 East-West Highway

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Fax: 301-713-1917

Join TBF or renew your membership today! Don't forget you can shop online for your tagging equipment and TBF apparel! Please visit our website at www.billfish.org.

TBF Continues to Fight Pacific Council’s Approved Longline EFP

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) recently voted to recommend approval of an application for an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) for a single vessel to fish longline gear within 200 miles of the U.S. west coast. The final approval of this EFP lies in the hands of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). “We opposed the permit on the basis that it is foolish to try and develop a new fishery on species that are already overfished or fully exploited,” said TBF President Ellen Peel, “as are bigeye, yellowfin and albacore tuna.”

TBF was successful in persuading the Council’s management team and advisory panel to include a prohibition on the use of the longline gear within 30 miles of any shoreline and in the Southern California Bight where conflicts with anglers and bycatch of striped marlin would be unacceptable.

In addition, TBF’s Dr. Russell Nelson persuaded the groups to recommend a cap on striped marlin hook ups to the full Council. Although commercial industry representatives on the Council initially proposed a cap of 57 striped marlin encounters before the longline “experiment” would be discontinued, a cap of 12 was finally adopted.

Additional caps on encounters with sea turtles and marine mammals were also included in the Council’s final recommendation and only 18/0 circle hooks can be used. The EFP, if approved by the NMFS, would allow for 4 longline trips between next September and December.

TBF is taking its campaign opposing this EFP from the Council level direct to the NMFS. TBF is also calling on members to send letters of opposition as well.

TBF’s letter of opposition will soon be posted under Recent News at www.billfish.org and can be used as a guideline for others writing letters.

Full details on the council’s action are available at:

http://www.pcouncil.org/decisions/currentdec.html#highly

NMFS to Meet with Anglers Regarding Longline Vessels in Closed Zones

The chief fishery officer of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), William Hogarth, will meet with anglers on Sat., April 21, at 9:00 a.m. at the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) building in Dania Beach, Florida.

Mr. Hogarth agreed to meet with anglers interested in discussing the application for the 13 Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs), which would allow pelagic longline vessels to fish in some of the waters of the East Coast closed zone. If approved, the vessels would be allowed to fish in the zone for one year with observers on board for the stated purpose to determine whether their required use of 18/0 (with an offset not exceeding 10 degrees) and 16/0 circle hooks have reduced the bycatch of undersize swordfish and other bycatch, including marlin, sailfish and spearfish. The swordfish caught by these boats will be sold and count towards the U.S. ICCAT quota.

Representatives from The Billfish Foundation (TBF), the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), the IGFA, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and others plan to attend the meeting.

Join TBF or renew your membership today!

Don't forget you can shop online for your tagging equipment and TBF apparel!

Please visit our website at www.billfish.org.

The Billfish Foundation (TBF) Report

The Billfish Foundation (TBF) carried out a review of all tag, recapture and release data for the 2005 calendar year and have reported their findings. Headline points were :

• 11,261 Billfish reports were received of which 3,881 were releases of billfish without a tag.
• 29 tags were recovered through recapture.
• Sailfish made up the majority of recaptures
• 5,242 tag reports identified hook type. Of those, 49% were circle hooks and 51% J hooks.
• The longest period at large for a recapture was2,580 days (7 years) for a blue marlin tagged and recaptured in Puerto Rico

More info see The Billfish Foundation (TBF) website

Netting Ban in South Australia (GFAA)

SAGFA PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN GOVERNMENT DECISION TO BAN INSHORE NETTING IN SOUTH AUSTRALIAN WATERS

For a decade the South Australian Fishery Advisory Council has been ringing the alarm bells on the declining stocks of marine scale-fish stocks in local waters.

During this period...

Graham Woollard (SAGFA Executive Officer) is Chairman of SARFAC and State President, Ian Guest, is also on the SARFAC Board.

After ten years of knocking on doors, making numerous submissions to Fishery Management Committees and Ministers (we had 5 Ministers of Fisheries and 3 Fishery Directors during this period) SARFAC took off the gloves late last year and increased the tempo of their efforts.

During the past six months activity has been intense with many letters being sent to the Premier, the Minister and his Cabinet Colleagues. There has been an orchestrated campaign of letter writing to the media, a petition circulated which collected over 16,000 signatures, a Bill introduced in the Upper House by the Democrats to ban the nets in Gulf of St Vincent and many television, radio and newspaper interviews. Hundreds of letters from angry shack-owners and recreational anglers were also sent to parliamentarians from all sides of the house.

Our strategy was to take the moral high ground and use the media to swing public support behind the campaign. It was the right strategy and it worked brilliantly.

Read the whole article and more...