BFT Charter Retention Change & Rec. comments

[Sterling]

If you run a charter I suspect you are already well aware of this but I thought I would post it anyway.
<<see note below "FROM NMFS WEBSITE...after my editorial comments.>>
I realize we're just getting started here with our 2005 BFT season but it's a great time to consider regulations for the 2006 season (if there is a BFT season in 06). I believe we need to push for regulations that support NY, PA, NJ and DE fishermen better. It is often not until August that we start to see BFT in good numbers in this region. This is the same time that the NMFS, under current approach, starts to restrict the fishing. This year one of the major recreational fishing organizations recommended closing the fishery for August to provide more fish to boats in the early and late season. Now that August is here, it's a great time to consider what that would have done to our season.

First, we need to save this great fishery and while we're doing that we need regulations that don't favor certain regions at a cost to others. If you can contribute to research and other efforts to stop the commercial and international issues impacting this fishery that's a great thing. If you contribute to an organization to protect your fishing rights, make sure you are being represented and if possible try to get involved early next year when the lobbying will undoubtedly resume.


FROM NMFS WEBSITE
HMS Charter/Headboat recreational BFT Retention Limit Changes on Aug. 1, 2005
The coastwide recreational BFT retention limit for HMS Charter/Headboats will change as of August 1, 2005. the daily retention limit will be 1 BFT per vessel measuring 27 to less than 73 inches curved fork length. Subsequent adjustments to the daily retention limits, if any, shall be announced through publication in the Federal Register and posted on this site.

[Bob ECT]

BFT's are split between North and South so the North doesn't suffer from the MD fishery.

As for 2006 we have a long way to go before we even get a fishery. Right now there's no small fish qouta left.