7-6, 7-7 Offshore West Atlantis

[Biggs]

gents - have either of you been to the canyons and understand what it entails and how extremely rare a catch like that is these days? Do you understand how fast fresh yellowfin goes?

The limit is a very reasonable 3 per person; what is your issue?

My issue was with ICCAT. I thought I had read a report by ICCAT saying that yellowfin were overfished. So I couldn't understand how the regs then allowed one boat to retain 13 fish. However, I went back and read it and I was wrong. The report said that yellowfin were overfished in certain pockets, but overall are at 97% of their maximum sustainable yield. So I retract my prior comment.

And no, I have not yet taken a run to the canyons, so I live vicariously through your and others reports. Sounds like an amazing trip. Some day...

[Tight]

Wow, you called that one Larry! I don't even eat the stuff, smells like catfood. I love to catch them though. If was on a strictly catch and release charter, fine by me. Was out for giants before the new regs, we released 4 fish that we could have kept. I have no problem with catch and release. Out of all that meat I took home 20 lbs. of tuna and 5 lbs. of mahi.

[John from Madison CT]

I was on this trip and I can assure you 100% that every pound of fish is given away fresh and consumed within a few days.

12 - 50lb Yellowfin yields about 200lbs of meat. Divide that by 7 anglers and your down to 30lbs each.. Properly trimmed then steaked and it's well under 30lbs each.

I have lots of friends and neighbors that simply love tuna. Every single pound went to those who appreciate it.

Heck, I even save all the trimmings to give to my buddy who lobster fishes.

[Tight]

Like John said, that fish was gone before we even got back in really. I told them that I really didn't even want any, none of them even hesitated on saying "good that's more for us!!" I never feel bashful or guilty on keeping a couple fish here and there. There were a couple of long-liners out there keeping more than a couple I'm sure. Not trying to start anything with anybody(commercial or rec.) but, if everything is done well within any laws and regs. on the books and you guys have problems with how the laws and regs. are written, then it kinda seems like you might be barking up the wrong tree just a bit. So as far as not wanting to rain on anyones parade, the more I think about it, that's exactly what you are doing, whether you meant it or not. That's my $.02 worth and that's all I got to say about that.

[Albiemanmike]

I was on this trip and I can assure you 100% that every pound of fish is given away fresh and consumed within a few days.

12 - 50lb Yellowfin yields about 200lbs of meat. Divide that by 7 anglers and your down to 30lbs each.. Properly trimmed then steaked and it's well under 30lbs each.

I have lots of friends and neighbors that simply love tuna. Every single pound went to those who appreciate it.

Heck, I even save all the trimmings to give to my buddy who lobster fishes.

John,
The wife made up some Tuna Tartar last night with the steaks frank gave me....Thank you Frank and the crew of the Carly2. Man was it good. Maybe even better than the BFT Tartar. The fish we got won't be around tomorrow....

It was less than 2 tuna per man and the Mahi well anytime you guy's want to shoot me some of that by all means i will come and get it. Great trip and there is nothing wrong with what you guy's did. Read some of the Canyon Runner reports, they put a ton of tuna on the dock EVERY trip. You guy's don't always come home with a haul like that.