Increase in BFT retention limits

[twofinbluna]

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/new...Final_Rule.pdf

According to NOAA's most recent ammendment to the annual BFT retention limits, it looks like the North Carolina boys are in for quite a bit of leeway with thier season. Now I'm not sure how close the southern sector comes to filling thier quota during thier normal season- but it looks like it will be open untill the quota is filled or march 31st- Seems like NOAA doesnt believe the whole "tuna are endangered" mission.

Wondering how this might potentialy mess with our quotas when NOAA "mis-calculates" thier numbers again.

Chris Wiener, whats your take on it???

Hey Fred

This is a final rule and applies to the fishery as a whole. So yes it will give the agency the ability to increase the limit from 3 to 5 for the winter fishery, but it will also do the same thing for our summer/fall fishery from here on out, as well. Keep in mind this does not mean they are increasing it to 5/day, it is just giving them the ability to do so with an in-season adjustment if they see the need. The limit is still 2/day now.

(Edit- this is something we pushed for 3 years ago when the rule-making process started and we were trying to find ways to help catch our quota.... this increase was meant to give our fishermen up here the ability to go offshore and make it worthwhile. I think it will still be a good rule eventhough we have now been catching our quotas, since if things slow down it could really help guys to have 5/day....)

In terms of keeping the season open until the end of March, this has the potential to allow for some extra fish to be caught down there this winter as opposed to the last few when they were closed at the end of January. The amount of quota is set in stone, though, and keep in mind that they have not caught very many in recent years and so it is up in the air what this extension will mean. Some thing that the extra months will allow for more fish to be caught, some do not. Either way the amount they are allowed is not big and so should not cause any harm to our northern fishery. And plus if things get hot, northern boats will head down and this could help them.

All in all the new rule should help give the agency some flexibility in making sure we catch our quotas. Just is still out though on how it will all play out.

[twofinbluna]

the last few winters down in carolina have been slow, but they put a hurt on em in late march and april. be interesting to see what happens this year

A lot of those fish were mediums, though, with some of those being the large variety. By keeping the quota open a little longer it will possibly allow for some of those small commercial-size fish to be landed and sold. Since the fish are small they should not add up quickly, though, and remember they will be done in April AND they have a set quota for that second part of winter. Personally I would caution against worrying too much about this rule at this point. If it helps us catch our quota without causing harm while also allowing the southern fishery to do a little better, it should not be a problem. But trust me we will be watching the developments closely!

[gmoney]

A lot of those fish were mediums, though, with some of those being the large variety. By keeping the quota open a little longer it will possibly allow for some of those small commercial-size fish to be landed and sold. Since the fish are small they should not add up quickly, though, and remember they will be done in April AND they have a set quota for that second part of winter. Personally I would caution against worrying too much about this rule at this point. If it helps us catch our quota without causing harm while also allowing the southern fishery to do a little better, it should not be a problem. But trust me we will be watching the developments closely!

well said, my thoughts exactly ( just written out in their entirety) thanks for clearing everything up. will be interesting to watch for sure

[Captain Greg Sears]

Take it away... give it back.....take it away.... Give it back..... Endangered.... Not endangered......Eeny Meeny.... More Rec..... Less Rec...... More comm..... Less com... Myny Mo ..... I love scientists and government.... I say Just Fish until they catch a Tiger by the toe......

Hmmm I think I have just discovered Obama's method of government.....

PS: time to focus on Ground fish and make them holler......

[KP161]

A lot of those fish were mediums, though, with some of those being the large variety. By keeping the quota open a little longer it will possibly allow for some of those small commercial-size fish to be landed and sold. Since the fish are small they should not add up quickly, though, and remember they will be done in April AND they have a set quota for that second part of winter. Personally I would caution against worrying too much about this rule at this point. If it helps us catch our quota without causing harm while also allowing the southern fishery to do a little better, it should not be a problem. But trust me we will be watching the developments closely!

Who told you to say that? My word.

[Capt. Mark]

There is only a 23.1 mt quota for the southern area beginning Jan 1,2012 and ending March 31... that equates to less then 200 fish. If the fishing is anything like it has been the last few yrs in Febuary, it will close very quickly.

Mark

[scurge]

Now there lies the problem..... the boat and gear I have, its the wife ive got to worry about

you got married capt ?