East Coast - 2008 Bluefish Specifications Announced

[Freeballin]

NOAA Fisheries has announced final specifications for the 2008 Atlantic bluefish fishery, including state-by-state commercial quotas, a recreational harvest limit, and recreational possession limits for Atlantic bluefish off the east coast of the United States. These specifications are established to maintain sustainable harvests of Atlantic Bluefish and ensure adequate conservation and management of the species. The 2008 limits include a 15 fish per person bag limit and keeps the recreational harvest limit at the 2007 level, with a decrease in the transfer to the commercial fishery. Copies of the specifications document, including the Environmental Assessment (EA) and the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) are available online at http://www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/regs/i...s/Bluefish.pdf

For additional information, please contact Tobey Curtis, Fishery Policy Analyst; telephone: (978) 281-9273.

[StriperBonesJones]

catch em up! flourocarbon leader material is expensive as hell!

[flatbottom]

Guys I can find limits on size blue fish for recs in jersey, del, md, But no where do I find a link to size of blue fish in commercial limits. I only find a total quota per state listed in pounds. Can some one help me out ? thanks flat

[Mirage36]

Flat, If I understand your question correctly: I think the way it works is the state divides up the quota between commercial fishermen holding permits to target them. There are no size or creel limits, only a poundage limit. Once the poundage is reached they must stop catching. This way it reduces by catch kills.

[flatbottom]

Yes ..that is what I mean. My questions is why? No size limit. Is NMFS waiting until they feel a collapse is eminent in this species, before setting size limits. Rob this is where I become totally confused in the direction NMFS is heading. They watch the data for 40 years. Limit total tonnage among states in the commercial sector, creel limits in the rec sector.....but no size limits.

[Mirage36]

Usually when a fish is commercially caught it's dead once it's in the boat no matter what size it is. Measuring and releasing a dead fish just because it's too small is now dead bycatch tossed back. I'm assuming that we are talking about highly productive ways of commercial fishing. If it's just hook & line then yes there probably is a good chance of a small fish surviving but if it netting or long lining, forget it...they are dead once they hit the deck.