To those who thought CITES was about commercial fishing only...

[twofinbluna]

As many of us have been saying all along, some of these enviro groups have bigger goals than just stopping trade. Ever oppurtunstic, one group has already used the oil spill to attempt achieving their goal of a full endangered species listing for bluefin.

This did not take long (but took longer than I would have expected...)

Although there is not a shred of scientific evidence that any real damage has occurred, they are not wasting any time trying to use this spill against the US fishery. Remember that an endangered listing in the US would do nothing to impact any other nation and would simply put us all out of business in an ever more direct way than CITES ever could. Never mind the fact that there are millions of fish out there and the species is not even close to being endangered, these groups just dont like us catching these fish.

And make no mistake about it, an ESA listing will make it so you cannot even go near these fish, let alone catch them recreationally or commercially.

[relentless]

Once again another environmental group has to get it in the media that a single fish sold for $177K to make fisherman look greedy. This action does not surprise me one bit, they will use any loophole, angle or whatever to get their way and try to shut us down. I still say protecting the wolffish on Stellwagen is just an angle to stop fishing there.

What is next, oysters, shrimp, redfish, yellowfin, crawfish, etc. There is no evidence however we know there will be some damage most likely but once you stop the overfishing in the EU nations maybe that will offset this damage a wee bit. Do not ever trust these groups as all they care about is their own agenda.

[Dogfish87]

As many of us have been saying all along, some of these enviro groups have bigger goals than just stopping trade. Ever oppurtunstic, one group has already used the oil spill to attempt achieving their goal of a full endangered species listing for bluefin.

This did not take long (but took longer than I would have expected...)

Although there is not a shred of scientific evidence that any real damage has occurred, they are not wasting any time trying to use this spill against the US fishery. Remember that an endangered listing in the US would do nothing to impact any other nation and would simply put us all out of business in an ever more direct way than CITES ever could. Never mind the fact that there are millions of fish out there and the species is not even close to being endangered, these groups just dont like us catching these fish.

And make no mistake about it, an ESA listing will make it so you cannot even go near these fish, let alone catch them recreationally or commercially.

Chris,

Totally agree and I too am surprised it took them this long. To come up with this attack on us. The ESA listing would be the worst. It appears that we may have to ban together again, cause a fight may arise. This spill is bad, maybe one thing that they need to consider is hopefully, as in true to the time of the year. For the sake of the environment and the ways that mother nature works, with this year most of the Mother Nature starting its stages earlier than usual (flowers trees and farmers products blooming earlier this year). The mass body of fish may have already checked out of the gulf before the spill. As for what happens to what they left behind is unknown. To use an angle of high priced fish $100k to make us look greedy is not a way and can be easily handled. I guess if needed the reasons/truths of why they sell so high would come about to shoot down the ability for them to call us United States fisherman greedy to bed. Because we are not greedy and our strict size limits that we have had in affect for so long prove that along with our quota management. As we never see fish like that above 35k is rare . I believe the highest paid for for the US was caught in Carolina and hit the market at the perfect time. As that is what that fishery is all about. But to say that the US fisherman have or show an intense and selfish desire for bluefins at all cost to equal being greedy is wrong.

Because at the end of the day, the guys who are out there for there living, and fish everyday (day and night for days) are still there because they love to catch giants. Cause some days its harder than others. And as other fisheries shut down we may find people who have been out of it for years are starting to rejoin the guys that fished through the hard times, because tuna fishing is reappearing a stable and solid fishery. (Thanks to return of the Herring and banning of the mid-waters. (Canada kicked em out and their fishery stayed strong.) And if they (US commercial tuna fisherman) thought there was a chance of these magnificent fish head down a path of extinction, They (us) would be the first to say so.

[twofinbluna]

Once again another environmental group has to get it in the media that a single fish sold for $177K to make fisherman look greedy. This action does not surprise me one bit, they will use any loophole, angle or whatever to get their way and try to shut us down. I still say protecting the wolffish on Stellwagen is just an angle to stop fishing there.

What is next, oysters, shrimp, redfish, yellowfin, crawfish, etc. There is no evidence however we know there will be some damage most likely but once you stop the overfishing in the EU nations maybe that will offset this damage a wee bit. Do not ever trust these groups as all they care about is their own agenda.

I know, Dave. And I hear you on that first thing- the fact that they always mention that single fish that brought all that money is a good marker for a BS story. Drives me crazy.

[DGOOD]

I tried to tell people that the CITES battle wasn't limited to one group. It was merely a foot in the door, opening up new battles for every sector(rec, comm, charter/headboat). Even our victory wasn't flawless. Clearly new angles(new retention limits, ESA listings) are being tested and this only demonstrates further our need to band together. Our opponents greatest strength comes from their regulations already set in place. The smartest thing they ever did was to delineate, and in turn highlight, the different categories(rec, comm, charter/headboat). By creating an "us vs them" battle amongst ourselves it will be much easier for them to begin shutting down this fishery. This "Divide and Conquer" approach seems to be working. If we really had the interests of this fishery AND fellow fishermen, throughout all the sectors, at heart, we would try and work together as fishermen, not individually as commercial, recreational, or charter fishermen. This requires everyone to look across the table and understand and accept the differences between the groups, but, ultimately, fighting for the same cause...the right to fish.

[twofinbluna]

I tried to tell people that the CITES battle wasn't limited to one group. It was merely a foot in the door, opening up new battles for every sector(rec, comm, charter/headboat). Even our victory wasn't flawless. Clearly new angles(new retention limits, ESA listings) are being tested and this only demonstrates further our need to band together. Our opponents greatest strength comes from their regulations already set in place. The smartest thing they ever did was to delineate, and in turn highlight, the different categories(rec, comm, charter/headboat). By creating an "us vs them" battle amongst ourselves it will be much easier for them to begin shutting down this fishery. This "Divide and Conquer" approach seems to be working. If we really had the interests of this fishery AND fellow fishermen, throughout all the sectors, at heart, we would try and work together as fishermen, not individually as commercial, recreational, or charter fishermen. This requires everyone to look across the table and understand and accept the differences between the groups, but, ultimately, fighting for the same cause...the right to fish.

I hear you, DGOOD! The last sentence sums it all up well. That is key and was is the kind of thinking that was behind the creation of ABTA. I know many of you are already members, but with all the threats this fishery will be facing in the coming years, we really need everyone to come behind that effort. When it comes to these big issues, it does not matter how you catch your fish (as in which sector, gear type, etc), we are all together. All the little things are important, for sure, but none of that matters if we are not allowed to fish.

[Fffiisshh0]

I think the whole cites defeat and the fact that the US will NEVER get the Japs and Chinese onboard for anything that doesnt serve themselves, let alone protection of tuna, just gave the protectionist groups new marching orders!! These groups now must try other avenues to achieve their agendas. No international support, so they will turnover every stone in attempts to secure a ban within the confines of this govt. With the current administration in lockstep with the powers that be governing the fisheries, I see a more probable chance of success with this approach. If anyones noticed, the US has very little support in anything it does around the world. It will be done inhouse,with no international support, no support from those affected the most and hurt only US fishermen and businesses, and it will suck! Thats how this country is being opperated.
There needs to be a strong coalition of groups to fite this. Splintered interests will be weak!!

[Captain Greg Sears]

Even though I may sound anti commercial in the other thread. My point of that is, the Last Defense is Recreational fishing. Yes I have a lot of respect for the real commercial tuna fishermen. But commercial fisherman are still selling the tuna to the countries we complain about including myself. Your dragging an old stone around talking about maybe the data is wrong or the enviro groups are controlling issues. What should be happening is publicity about how many fish there are in the world. Not how many may die. Use the opposite and prove these enviro groups wrong show increases in population sue NMFS for improper handling of stock assessments ETC.......

[Dogfish87]

Even though I may sound anti commercial in the other thread. My point of that is, the Last Defense is Recreational fishing. Yes I have a lot of respect for the real commercial tuna fishermen. But commercial fisherman are still selling the tuna to the countries we complain about including myself. Your dragging an old stone around talking about maybe the data is wrong or the enviro groups are controlling issues. What should be happening is publicity about how many fish there are in the world. Not how many may die. Use the opposite and prove these enviro groups wrong show increases in population sue NMFS for improper handling of stock assessments ETC.......

Right On! Thats Commercial.

[twofinbluna]

What should be happening is publicity about how many fish there are in the world. Not how many may die.

Very critical, Greg. If they could see for one day what we see they would have to have at least a little trouble trying to tell the public the fish are 'endangered'. I think doing more aerial surveys is a good way to start. Something we have been talking about for the coming year, I will keep you posted if we get anywhere on it.

What is really troubling is how political science is there days. It requires us to have representation at the science meetings and assessment. This is another thing that ABTA will be watching like a hawk.

No more word yet on the ESA petition but I will keep you all posted on any developments. Sickening to see this coming up after dealing with CITES all winter and then finally getting close to being able to fish.