ABTA , Bluefin Commercial and recreational quota reduction because of excessive Long Line discards

[twofinbluna]

B&T, the why is less important than the fact that one category is getting screwed for the misdeeds of another...

MarkP

Mark remember its all the traditional categories that are getting screwed by this. Harpoon, angling, etc. The general category has the biggest share and so the numbers are most obvious there, but everyone loses if this goes through!

[AndyP]

Why does NMFS permit the indiscriminate harvesting of pelagic fish by the longline fishery when it rigorously regulates selective harvesting by harpoon and rod and reel? The very fact that there is such waste of a valuable resource is saddening. I am just a recreational angler and want to support the sustainability of the blue fin tuna fishery, but as a citizen am very concerned when I see what appears to be an entirely arbitrary position regarding the 160 mt of dead discards allocated to an indiscriminate harvesting method. I readily defer to those with greater knowledge of the fishery, but am compelled to ask this simple question. The sustainability of the fishery benefits those involved commercially as well as recreationally.

[MarkP]

Mark remember its all the traditional categories that are getting screwed by this. Harpoon, angling, etc. The general category has the biggest share and so the numbers are most obvious there, but everyone loses if this goes through!

Yep, yer right-screwed across the board. If they're going to take it from anywhere, take it from the seine category which is not using its quota and is clincally dead...

MarkP

[bampy]

Yep, yer right-screwed across the board. If they're going to take it from anywhere, take it from the seine category which is not using its quota and is clincally dead...

MarkP

Hi Mark

Ultimately the US quota will be caught and transfers necessary to fill some successful categories during the season will likely take place. The problem as I see it is: transfers from under utilized categories like the PS will not stay underutilized for ever. And, as the stock recovers discards will continue to increase by the longline category do to increased interaction.

Fair shares (allocation per FMP) defined by historical participation should be maintained for each category and each user group should recognize their own proprietorship role in managing their fishery within that category.

By the way How’s the plane...did you use it much?

[MarkP]

I hear you Bamp and agree that, in a perfect world, that's how it should be played. My suggestion is for this specific overage, use some un-used quota from the PS, then as we move forward, there needs to be some specific sanctions in place for categories that go over. IMO, this horse is out of the barn and the system in place ain't gonna catch him. Using un-used quota once and adjusting the system to work fairly in a longer term setting is more responsible, especially in an improving stock situation. BTW, despite my history with them, this is not a shot at the seine category. Some will read it that way, but that's not my intent. I want to see the active categories protected and the rules properly written.

As to the plane, 6SL is in for her annual and some minor upgrades. We're creating a real slick aluminum instrument panel and waiting for FAA approval on it. Gets rid of the ugly post lighting and adds a real updated look. If we get FAA blessing, my AP plans to market it. I'll fire you some pics when/if that gets thru. Haven't been flying much-maybe 125 hrs last year-hoping for more time this season...

MarkP