Will CITES Listing Ruin Recreational ABT Fishing ?

[capecodder16]

I have already heard from a few of my customers who "feel guilty" about taking a tuna charter. If you think for a second that this will only effect commercial fishermen you are mistaken. How did we get here ? Lack of info ? Apathy ? Lack of Funding ? All of these play a role. The politicians hear from the folks with the most time or substantial dough to donate to campaigns. (pew, oceana, wwf etc) I think recreational fishermen, charter captains and commercial guys need to be WAY more proactive in supporting this fishery. Financially, politically and generally.
Financially, I sent in my $100 bucks to ABTA. I feel guilty I didn't send more. I did travel to Washington DC a few months back to attend the CITES hearing with a dozen and a half other fishermen concerned enough about CITES to show up. I wish there were 2,000 that attended. Generally, I do write about CITES in my fish reports that are posted on my website, in the hopes that the info I give is useful to the non informed public that I contact from day to day. As I speak to my friends and customers, I tell the truth about the fishery to folks and try not to show my frustration and overuse F bombs. (its hard) Politically, I am involved with my PHONE and LETTERS. Emails are considered MUCH less weight on an issue than a letter. Yes, it takes time.
I've realized through more general politics discussions, that most folks just cant be bothered to get involved. The political discussions I have had with average folks, or on Facebook and other forums, leave me feeling that 75% of people are uninformed and uninvolved, or afraid to get into a spirited discussion. It is my opinion if recreational fishermen as well as commercials fought harder for what we believed in, we would not be disappointed so frequently in the outcomes.
If you are concerned, the actions you take are up to you. Hopefully you will pass it on.
Good fishing to you,
Bruce

[Captain Greg Sears]

March 7, 2010

Dear Captain Greg Sears:

On behalf of the Rich Ruais and the American Bluefin Tuna Association (ABTA), I want to thank you for your pledge of $500. Please extend my personal thanks to all the attendees, sponsors and staff members of the Mass Bay Guides Seminar that helped raise these funds during Saturday’s seminar.

Your contribution comes at a time sensitive and mission critical juncture for the ABTA as we embark upon an International Fishery Management battle to save our US bluefin tuna fishery.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix I listing proposal for northern bluefin tuna is scheduled for discussion and vote beginning on March 13, 2010 in Qatar. Our ability to have Rich Ruais and others attend and lobby for our interests at this meeting is contingent upon raising funds in a very short period of time. Of the 175 voting countries, a 2/3 majority must agree on the CITES proposal before it is accepted as international law. We have a fighting chance with Rich Ruais who will be working hard to protect the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisherman’s traditional access and quota share!

The cost associated with engaging in this multi-national battle is huge, but the ramifications of a CITES Appendix I listings for bluefin tuna is likely to be devastating for both US Commercial and Recreational Fishermen.

Again, thank you for your monetary pledge and helping assist the ABTA save the US bluefin tuna fishery.

Respectfully Yours,
Steven James
ABTA, Director

[relentless]

Greg,

Curt and I received one of these two as Curt's meet and greet which was only $20.00 per head so a little less to donate. I also sent in another $100.00 this week and encourage everyone who has a stake in this fishery weather commercial, recreational, charter or in the retail trade to make a contribution.

I did see some young kids yesterday on the way to the boat holding onto a harpoon with the nearest saltwater 10 miles away.

Dear Captain Curt Maxon:

On behalf of the Rich Ruais and the American Bluefin Tuna Association (ABTA), let be the first to thank you and Capt Dave Waldrip for your monetary pledge of $250. Please extend my personal thanks to all the members of the Northeast Tuna Club and the NBS Sportfishing.com web site that helped raise these funds during Saturday s’ Meet & Greet event.

Your contribution comes at a mission critical time for the ABTA when the very future of bluefin tuna fishing hangs in the balance of an International tug-of-war between environmental extremists and fishermen. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix I listing proposal for northern bluefin tuna is scheduled for vote on March 13, 2010 in Qatar. Our ability to have Rich Ruais and others attend and lobby for our interests at this meeting is contingent upon raising funds in a very short period of time.

The costs associated with engaging in this multi-national battle is huge, but the ramifications of a CITES Appendix I listings for bluefin tuna is likely to be devastating for both US Commercial and Recreational Fishermen.

I ask that you further assist the ABTA in protecting the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisherman’s traditional access and quota share by promoting awareness of the American Bluefin Tuna Association (www.theabta.com) and the dire situation that we currently face.

Again, thank you for your monetary pledge and helping assist the ABTA save the US bluefin tuna fishery.

Respectfully Yours,

Steven James

Capt Dave

[Capt. Jon Tennant]

Will CITES Listing Ruin Recreational ABT Fishing ?

if they get a cites listing one would have to be a fool to think anyone will be able to target BFT in the US with the group of fucktards we have in charge at NOAA & NMFS.... hell we'll be lucky if we even get to fish anywhere near where they might be.......

[Captain Greg Sears]

Curt and I received one of these two as Curt's meet and greet which was only $20.00 per head so a little less to donate. I also sent in another $100.00 this week and encourage everyone who has a stake in this fishery weather commercial, recreational, charter or in the retail trade to make a contribution.

I did see some young kids yesterday on the way to the boat holding onto a harpoon with the nearest saltwater 10 miles away.

HAHa That was Cam (Fortunamate) and Patrick enthusiastic parking attendants.

[relentless]

I saw them collecting for parking on the way in, something about $10.00 per car.

Dave

[Junior11]

Since you guys appear to be more recreationally friendly than I am even though I run charters as well, maybe people will listen to you. I know a lot of tuna fisherman both recreational and commercial, I know that better than 50% of the rec side is jumping for joy because of this CITES listing. Some are even donating to WWF to support the cause of a CITES listing.

They are going to be in for one rude awakening in a couple years when they realize the purely commercial guys are going to scream bloody murder if they get shut down and recs are still allowed to kill juveniles. This is the exact scenario the enviro groups hope for is that the different groups of fisherman shoot eachoter in the feet. Look at what happend with the cod. The commercials got cut back so they took away Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, and march away from the recs.

[Col. Kurtz]

I am a rec guy and I don't know of a single one of my counterparts here on the South Shore that is excited about a CITES listing. To feel that way is beyond short-sighted and entering into the realm of idiocy.

I personally have a great deal of respect for the guys who do this for a living vs. a hobby, as do the vast majority of the other rec guys I associate with. In the final analysis, we're all going to be bent over and reamed hard if this comes to be and we cannot allow ourselves to be divided and conquered.

Since you guys appear to be more recreationally friendly than I am even though I run charters as well, maybe people will listen to you. I know a lot of tuna fisherman both recreational and commercial, I know that better than 50% of the rec side is jumping for joy because of this CITES listing. Some are even donating to WWF to support the cause of a CITES listing.

They are going to be in for one rude awakening in a couple years when they realize the purely commercial guys are going to scream bloody murder if they get shut down and recs are still allowed to kill juveniles. This is the exact scenario the enviro groups hope for is that the different groups of fisherman shoot eachoter in the feet. Look at what happend with the cod. The commercials got cut back so they took away Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, and march away from the recs.

[seaworm1]

, I know that better than 50% of the rec side is jumping for joy because of this CITES listing. Some are even donating to WWF to support the cause of a CITES listing.

Maybe I just dont understand this comment, but why would recs be "jumping for joy" if the CITES listing is passed. How would it in any way benefit them??????? Any where is your info coming from???

[Junior11]

First off I am a charter captain as well, I make money from the recreational and commercial side of things. I know that the feeling from some recreational fisherman is that the CITES listing will help the population of fish so it will improve their recreational fishing. They aren't looking at the big picture. I am not saying that even 50% of the recreational fisherman think its a good thing I do know that out of the relatively small amount of people I have talked to that the rec's have mixed feelings. The people that are for it are not charter captains but people that fish purely recreationally.

Curtz I agree with you 100%. Tuna fisherman are being divided and if they continue to be then we will be conquered.

Japan already said they are going to take a reservation. This means that the only thing a CITES listing is going to do is keep the honest people (the US) honest.