NMFS Proposed Rule for US Swordfish Fishery

[Nimrod]

Just passing this along to those that may not have seen it yet.......

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released its Proposed Rule offering options being considered for “reinvigorating” the U.S. swordfish fishery. The reinvigoration is to improve the ability of U.S. vessels to fully harvest the North Atlantic swordfish quota, while ensuring that bycatch remains within acceptable levels.

The Proposed Rule options include:

(1) Increase 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) Increase the bag limit per vessel from 3 to 4 in the HMS Angling category, but retain the 1 swordfish per person bag limit.

(3) Increase the 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.

(4) Modify vessel upgrading restrictions for vessels that are authorized to fish for swordfish and tunas with pelagic longline gear (i.e., vessels that possess limited access swordfish and shark permits, as well as an Atlantic tunas longline category permit). These vessels could be upgraded, or permits transferred, as 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 HMS limited access permit.


Comments must be submitted by January 31, 2007, by email to: SF1.110206A@noaa.gov and written to NMFS – HMS Division, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

[capt. woodward]

Oh well, so much for good conservation measures....

[Deep C]

Actually, I think the stocks have rebounded nicely and can take that increased pressure. If we are good about keeping the heat out of the nursery I see nothing wrong with the increased limits. Even though the limits are upped I don't see many taking advantage of it, at least here. With a no sale zone like we have, taking six is a ton of meat. Too much really... I usually limit my trips to two as do many down here...