Gulf Jiggers - say bye-bye to your AJ's for 2010

[Jiggin Junkie]

"I think we have all read this about the first 16 times it was posted,

Thanks though "

And what did you do about it. Here are the 2 choices you can either stand and be counted or simply be ran over and forced to comply. The choice is yours.

[andrew whitman]

or go postal. we will see it soon im sure.

[captnemo]

"I think we have all read this about the first 16 times it was posted,

Thanks though "

And what did you do about it. Here are the 2 choices you can either stand and be counted or simply be ran over and forced to comply. The choice is yours.

I have, the BSB closure in the northeast caused me to Join and donate to RFA. I have also posted a link to joinrfa.org and asked everyone here to consider joining one of these groups or make a donation to the legal fund, found on the home page.

All I'm saying is this 5 page letter has been posted three times in the same thread, and about 6 other threads in the last week. Ok we got it already

[bay bruiser]

I am a long way from you guys and the fishery that has been closed. I have a limited understanding of how fisheries in your country work, is it that any one can catch fish and then on sell them?
In NZ we have a quota management system and only commercial fishers with a quota can legally sell fish, this ensures that the total alowable catch for the comm sector can be monitored, the recreational fishery for the most part remains healthy because there is some real time monitoring of fish landed, and comparison studies look at the total biomass of any given species, compare the two to give an idea of what amount is a sustainable take.
If as i suspect, anyone can go out target fish and then on sell them in the states, the monetry gain becomes the focus for some fisherman and people will take as much as they can? I have seen many glory photos of shit loads of tuna or yellow tail kingfish lined up on the wharf , one particular guy had fourteen kingfish between two anglers!!! In nz we are allowed a max of three per person per day, however on my boat we only ever take enough for a feed and release the rest back ( read one or two fish per trip) This ensures that there will always be fish to catch. I may well be mistaken in my presumption that rec fishers in the states can sell fish if that is not the case I apologise.
My point is that closing a fishery so it can recover from over fishing can only be good for everyone, my kids included!!!

I have just finished reading COD by Mark kransky, very interesting. It should be compulsary reading for kids at school, Surely some of the older guys here remember what big atlantic cod look like?

I know this will upset some people, I know some will point out that the method by which the biomass of AJs is measured is flawed, well better to err on the side of caution and have too many fish than having to resort to books to show ya grandkids what AJs looked like.
Just my two cents worth,

[luna sea II]

I am a long way from you guys and the fishery that has been closed. I have a limited understanding of how fisheries in your country work, is it that any one can catch fish and then on sell them?
In NZ we have a quota management system and only commercial fishers with a quota can legally sell fish, this ensures that the total alowable catch for the comm sector can be monitored, the recreational fishery for the most part remains healthy because there is some real time monitoring of fish landed, and comparison studies look at the total biomass of any given species, compare the two to give an idea of what amount is a sustainable take.
If as i suspect, anyone can go out target fish and then on sell them in the states, the monetry gain becomes the focus for some fisherman and people will take as much as they can? I have seen many glory photos of shit loads of tuna or yellow tail kingfish lined up on the wharf , one particular guy had fourteen kingfish between two anglers!!! In nz we are allowed a max of three per person per day, however on my boat we only ever take enough for a feed and release the rest back ( read one or two fish per trip) This ensures that there will always be fish to catch. I may well be mistaken in my presumption that rec fishers in the states can sell fish if that is not the case I apologise.
My point is that closing a fishery so it can recover from over fishing can only be good for everyone, my kids included!!!

I have just finished reading COD by Mark kransky, very interesting. It should be compulsary reading for kids at school, Surely some of the older guys here remember what big atlantic cod look like?

I know this will upset some people, I know some will point out that the method by which the biomass of AJs is measured is flawed, well better to err on the side of caution and have too many fish than having to resort to books to show ya grandkids what AJs looked like.
Just my two cents worth,

we cannot sell fish as recreational anglers and have a 1 fish per person limit on amberjacks.

[bay bruiser]

Then my presumption was wrong and I apologise.
I still believe that closing a fishery allowing it time to improve benefits EVERYONE.

[Crackerjack]

We are facing restrictions up here too but....

"In 2008, NOAA Fisheries Service implemented a
recreational quota of 1.368 million pounds for greater
amberjack harvested in the Gulf of Mexico.
Recreational landings data indicate the recreational
quota has been met. Therefore, in accordance with the
regulations"

I don't think you can blame the current administration for this one( I am sure there will be plenty we can blame them for in terms of closures - it might take a year or two)....This managment and ours up here was started a long, long time ago. Our path down this road started in 1996....and the noose it tightening right now...

[d-a]

Then my presumption was wrong and I apologise.
I still believe that closing a fishery allowing it time to improve benefits EVERYONE.

Yes as long as it was closed using current correct catch data. The rec guys are not being asked how many AJ's there catching or keeping.

I can tell you havent fished much in the gulf if any, because if you have you would see that the AJ's are abundant in the Gulf; from Fla all the way to Texas.

This closure is based of a presumed catch quota that has been exceeded. Not to mention the fact that the Commercial guys have received larger catch shares over the years while the recreational guys have been getting less.

d-a

[treyfry]

I FISH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO EVERY WEEK AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN ASKED ABOUT HOW MUCH OF ANY SPECIES OF FISH I HAVE CAUGHT, NIETHER HAVE ANYONE THAT I KNOW THAT FISHES HERE. THE AMBERJACK ARE NOT HURTING IN THE GULF. THE WORST PART IS WE WERE JUST STARTING TO CATCH MORE AJ'S IN THE PAST MONTH THAN WE HAVE ALL SUMMER, IN MY AREA. THEY WILL STILL BE FUN TO CATCH I JUST CANT PUT ANY BIG THICK AJ STEAKS ON THE GRILL TILL NEXT YEAR.

[Ultralite]

Does this mean they can't fish for them or just can't keep any? I don't keep any AJ's anyways. I'd rather let them go to catch another day.

When fishing at the East Cape in Baja, we always release the AJs as they're sh!t eating compared to the other fish that are available. Do you guys actually eat the AJs?