Endangered species

[Animal 1]

Just read on another site from two sources that they're reconsidering a listing,due to the oilspill.
While I could almost agree with a temporary closure,I don't think it would work that way,even if they manage to stop the flow,and clean up the Gulf quickly.
Anyone heard anything?

[finndown]

Saw it on tonight's news. They said that Bft breed in the gulf and that the oil spill could mean the end of bluefin as we know them.

[twofinbluna]

Amazing that the enviro groups barely had time to relax after losing the CITES battle to turn around and take it up a notch with an ESA listing. They are using the oil spill as an excuse but do not fall for that- they were going to do this anyways. And this nonsense about the oil spill wiping out bluefin is absurd. It is totally frustrating to see the news falling for the bait and giving the enviros media exposure on this issue. What, if any, impacts this spill will have on bluefin will not be known for a long time, if ever. But the enviros are trying to capitalize on the national frustration with the spill by trying to make this into a story. Seems like they may be succeeding.

An ESA listing will completely stop all bluefin fishing and will not be temporary. I tried to make it clear that CITES was bigger than banning trade and while some people understood that, I think a lot of people still saw it as strictly a commercial issue. Well make no mistake about this ESA attempt- this will completely end tuna fishing in this country. I hope everyone will be ready to fight this when the time comes (soon).

[twofinbluna]

And I know we have had a bit of a lull in the massive threat department since CITES ended, and this has led to some of us to bicker a bit over domestic issues here. But hopefully everyone can see this ESA thing for the threat it is and can bond together since that is what it is going to take. All of these domestic issues will be meaningless if we are not allowed to catch bluefin! I am confident we can do this!

[amarshall]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-0...efin-tuna.html

[twofinbluna]

Bill Fox is arguably Public Enemy # 1 when it comes to our fishery. Not only is he a head guy for WWF, but when he was at NMFS he was responsible for getting the failed 2 stock theory in place, which opened the door to both heavy unilateral restrictions on our fishery and anarchy on the other side of the Atlantic. He is no good.

[cc14]

ive got a question: (as stated here and other boards i dont fish or have a comm. agenda in tuna)....but I know the gulf spill is bad and covers a massive area. How much do we actually know that the tuna migrate to these areas and not the areas to the south towards the yucatan to breed? seems to me like the US gulf is "the" area for the tuna to mate while this expanse of of ocean extends much further than the oil...just a question for those with more knowledge....what gives?

[backman]

They know they breed in that area; there is scientific fact all over the internet on that.

Guys - not to knock you off your self interested soapbox but this one is a bit different than the usual arguments about Eurotrash, pinko, environmental NMFS, ICCAT, your favorite government employee conspiracies against poor 8th generation Swamp Yankee's.

Common sense says at a minimum this year's spawn is going to be affected in some way shape, or form even if the spawner's themselves aren't hurt - we may have lost 5-10% of the western tuna population for the next 10 years.

I know there are millions of fish around and plenty for all, but I also know it ain't like it was when I first saw it 15 years ago.

It strikes me that at least listening to the discussion of the impact of the oil spill on bluefin and other pelagic's is a reasonable approach.

back to your regularly scheduled rant about conspiracy and "them".

[Animal 1]

They know they breed in that area; there is scientific fact all over the internet on that.

Guys - not to knock you off your self interested soapbox but this one is a bit different than the usual arguments about Eurotrash, pinko, environmental NMFS, ICCAT, your favorite government employee conspiracies against poor 8th generation Swamp Yankee's.

Common sense says at a minimum this year's spawn is going to be affected in some way shape, or form even if the spawner's themselves aren't hurt - we may have lost 5-10% of the western tuna population for the next 10 years.

I know there are millions of fish around and plenty for all, but I also know it ain't like it was when I first saw it 15 years ago.

It strikes me that at least listening to the discussion of the impact of the oil spill on bluefin and other pelagic's is a reasonable approach.

back to your regularly scheduled rant about conspiracy and "them".

Great post Larry.While I agree an endangered species listing at this point is harsh,and going too far,there is no doubt bft will be affected.The question is to what extent,and for how long?
With the dungheaps running the show now,it could be a long time.

[clambo]

The fish peta people just want to end all fishing. Why do you think they are sending books to kids calling fish sea kittens? That said ,I believe that nature/tuna will choose not to breed in an oil poluted area and will seek an area that is suitable to continue their species. I've been told that fish such as herring go to the same water source using imprinting(tasting the water?). Oil should contaminate this method and cause them to seek a better area. Nature seems to rise above human stupidity. Clambo