You Knew It Would Happen

[CaptainAlex]

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species News

The National Marine Fisheries Service is taking two actions regarding the recreational Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) Angling category fishery: (1) adjustment of the daily retention limit for the remainder of 2011, and (2) closure of the southern area trophy BFT fishery.
The inseason action filed in the Federal Register on March 30, 2011, and will publish on April 4, 2011, but will become EFFECTIVE on SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2011.
For more information, please see the attached notice or go to the HMS Division website at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/breaking_news.htm

[captdom]

I have emailed Ms. Schulze-Haugen 3 seperate times asking for some help, and was assured that the situation was being monitored.... I guess this is their idea of "closely monitoring"

3 seperate email exchanges dating back as far as Feb. 5, 2011, the most recent one was on March 18, 2011...here is a copy of the last one, what a joke!

----- Original Message -----
From: Margo Schulze-Haugen
To: Capt. Domenic Petrarca
Sent: Friday, March 18, 2011 1:00 PM
Subject: Re: North Carolina Bluefin


Captain Petrarca,

Thanks for the email and for sharing your concerns. We are still closely monitoring the Angling category landings and will publish an inseason action when and if appropriate. Please feel free to give me a call if you have further questions at 301-713-2347. Thanks and I hope you have a good weekend. Margo

Capt. Domenic Petrarca wrote:

Dear Margo Schulze-Haugen,

I wrote to you over a month ago stating my concerns about the Angling category Atalantic Bluefin landings in the southern sector for 2010 and how it adversely affectd us in the northrn sector with control measures put int place, psecifically the slot limit closure from 59'-less than 73" CFL. As you are aware, these measures were shouldered by the noprthern sector with zero onus on the southern sector who were allowed unrestricted access and harvest while these fish were unavailable to us in the north.

It appears that once again many bluefin are being caught and landed over the past month and half, and the vast majority fall above the 60' CFL range. Many trophy fish have been landed to date as well, and I want to again stress the need for equitable division of the overall Angling sector quota not only in total sum, but especially on the large school and medium quota.

I would hope that there is a close and careful eye being directed, and that an in-season action made to allow northern sector recreational and CHB permitted vessels to get a fair access to these fish. With the overall quota being smaller this year, it appears time to do so for 2011 before it becomes too late.

I have also contacted your Tuna management staff up here at NERO.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,

Capt. Domenic Petrarca

Coastal Charters Sportfishing
63 Ormerod Ave. Portsmouth, RI 02871
401-862-0358 / 401-207-4095
www.coastalcharterssportfishing.com

[rmoody79]

rec category will be limited to one single 27-59in fish, only a matter of time before the trophy category for angling is eliminated as well.