Tuna Slot Limit

[Junior11]

Twofin,

If we don't use the quota, we lose it. Would it not make sense to allocate the general category quota as we go. This way we can keep the quota in US hands and not give it to ICCAT to distribute as they please. Whatever we don't use that is over 10% of the quota goes away. Forever. I feel that some of the General category quota should be released to the angling category just to try and make sure the US catches its whole quota (or as close to it as possible). The only thing is that we have to keep whatever transfered from the general category needs to stay in the general category the following year. I say this as someone that hasn't recreationally fished for bluefin in 3 years.

This is a slippery slope, but if for 5 minutes we can show some loyalty to eachother and what is better for fisherman as a whole we will be much better off. As it is now it seems like every fishery is in a pissing contest between rec and commercial. Then even worse is between gear types.

The enrviro's are the ones that are winning. We are being divided and slowly, but surely conquered.

[Capt. Mark]

How many people here would charter a boat if the recreational tuna fishery was catch and release only?

I am not promoting this one way or the other. Just curious to see if people would still spend the time and money on such a fishery.

Its a valid question ... nearly 100% of my income comes from tuna fishing .. both charter fishing the canyons during the spring,summer months and commercial fishing fall and winter ... I understand people want to eat the fish they catch .. but realistically, how many fish can a group of six really use .. tuna is best used fresh, not frozen. I fished bluefin this spring in NC and witnessed some of the best fishing I have ever seen .. our anglers were thrilled to catch hundreds of 140-600 lb fish on all types of gear .. if you lost one due to light tackle,no one cared. Casting hookless poppers to fish over and over just to watch the violent explosions of 10 or 12 fish trying to eat your plug was priceless ...It was about the sport in it .. not how much meat can I put in my freezer .. that made the experience that much more enjoyable. Thats what this fishery should be about .. we are fortunate to have this incredible bite right at our doorstep, yet too many people focus on how many can I kill ? I would much rather take a charter out to C&R 10-30 fish a day and come home with none, rather then scratch and claw for one or two fish a day and come home with them...I say set a sustainable quota, put a tag system in place and enjoy the C&R fishing once the quota has been reached so we can continue to enjoy this fishery for years to come

[tmack92]

I would fish catch and release, I could careless about keeping tuna, they taste alright, but I'll take haddock or cod anyday.

This fishery needs to be controlled, or it will be depleted... For the past few years all I heard about was the Tuna bite at the Cape, TV Shows, Internet Forums, Captains promoting this fishery for buisness purposes, I have no issues with any of it, but with this much attention, your going to attract many people out there to give it a shot, and the Fishery is not rocket science, it took me two trips to figure it out....

The internet is a powerful tool and Rec guys like myself can only take seeing so many pictures of huge fish before we have to get involved in it...

[KP161]

Its a valid question ... nearly 100% of my income comes from tuna fishing .. both charter fishing the canyons during the spring,summer months and commercial fishing fall and winter ... I understand people want to eat the fish they catch .. but realistically, how many fish can a group of six really use .. tuna is best used fresh, not frozen. I fished bluefin this spring in NC and witnessed some of the best fishing I have ever seen .. our anglers were thrilled to catch hundreds of 140-600 lb fish on all types of gear .. if you lost one due to light tackle,no one cared. Casting hookless poppers to fish over and over just to watch the violent explosions of 10 or 12 fish trying to eat your plug was priceless ...It was about the sport in it .. not how much meat can I put in my freezer .. that made the experience that much more enjoyable. Thats what this fishery should be about .. we are fortunate to have this incredible bite right at our doorstep, yet too many people focus on how many can I kill ? I would much rather take a charter out to C&R 10-30 fish a day and come home with none, rather then scratch and claw for one or two fish a day and come home with them...I say set a sustainable quota, put a tag system in place and enjoy the C&R fishing once the quota has been reached so we can continue to enjoy this fishery for years to come

DING! DING! DING! We have a winner folks.

[Corneroffice-NH]

[QUOTE=FullStrikeAngler;1476494]How many people here would charter a boat if the recreational tuna fishery was catch and release only? QUOTE]

not me, C&R is what its all about with me... if I have an itch for Tuna steaks, I will keep one. but thats because I can.... If I couldnt Im fine picking up some beef on the way home - besides cleaning one of these fish properly is a lot of work!

[sashamy]

Absolutely no Mark....absolutely not!

[hotreels]

Some do yes. The ones that just want to fish when they want to fish with no season and no regard for what is caught is frustrating.

Giving 10,000 rec boats each 5 tags and just see what is caught at the end of the year is nuts. What...Just hope it lands on 151 metric tons???

I guarantee you that would lead to atleast another 300mt caught. Atleast.

Capt Mark hit the nail on the head. Best thing I've heard so far. Rodney Davis did too. Tag system, call in fish, no call in hefty fines at the dock and once quota is reached it goes C&R.

Some people want the deer tag system with no quota. Do these people realize in deer hunting you get tags but if you don't kill a deer and use your tag the season will close on you. You don't have all year to go shoot a deer. Just saying.

I don't think anyone expects a tag program that does not abide by a quota. Some, myself included would rather catch 5 fish in the slot size and then go C&R. The only true way of checking the quota is to tag and call in.
I don't for one minute believe the current system is accurate.

[Capt. Mark]

Absolutely no Mark....absolutely not!

Please elaborate ....

[EJR]

How many people here would charter a boat if the recreational tuna fishery was catch and release only?

I am not promoting this one way or the other. Just curious to see if people would still spend the time and money on such a fishery.

Building a charter business solely on a fish class that will continue to grow or may not be here the next season might not be the best idea to start. Second If I ran a charter boat I would much rather be fishing for bluefin catch and release in 5 or 10 years rather than making a buck this summer.

[sashamy]

no Junior11 not you mr canyon runner I will never surrender any quota to the angling category