NMFS to Meet with Anglers

[Admin]

NMFS to Meet with Anglers Regarding Longline Vessels in Closed Zones

The chief fishery officer of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), William Hogarth, will meet with anglers on Sat., April 21, at 9:00 a.m. at the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) building in Dania Beach, Florida.

Mr. Hogarth agreed to meet with anglers interested in discussing the application for the 13 Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs), which would allow pelagic longline vessels to fish in some of the waters of the East Coast closed zone. If approved, the vessels would be allowed to fish in the zone for one year with observers on board for the stated purpose to determine whether their required use of 18/0 (with an offset not exceeding 10 degrees) and 16/0 circle hooks have reduced the bycatch of undersize swordfish and other bycatch, including marlin, sailfish and spearfish. The swordfish caught by these boats will be sold and count towards the U.S. ICCAT quota.

Representatives from The Billfish Foundation (TBF), the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), the IGFA, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and others plan to attend the meeting.

[shoefish]

Okay, I need a translation- are they considering opening up closed areas to longliners now?

[fishpicker]

No it is just a study. I was under the impression that the 13 were doing research with plastic hooks and swivels. I could be wrong !!!!!

[shoefish]

Plastic hooks and swivels?

[TROPHY SPORTFISHING]

HELL THOSE JACKASSES CAN'T EVEN MAKE A FRIGGIN DECISION ON THE EXEMPTION PERMITS FOR CIRCLE HOOKS THIS YEAR PROOF IN THE PUDDING THIS COUNTRY IS IN THE HANDS OF IDIOTS!!

[fishpicker]

It's sad to say that OUR fish are being destroyed by politics.

We can fight between ourselves all that causes is more hatred, At the end of the day NMFS sits back and laughs. It is impossible for NMFS to do a good job managing when they are being influenced by so many special interest groups.

They should stick to the facts !!!!!

[twofinbluna]

what facts are those?

and the inability of nmfs ot manage correctly may be in part due to what you mention, but the main reason is that they make one bad decisions after the other, never learn from their mistakes, and keep doing stupid things. the blame doesnt rest on anyone but themselves, atleast the majoirty of the blame.

[fishpicker]

what facts are those?

and the inability of nmfs ot manage correctly may be in part due to what you mention, but the main reason is that they make one bad decisions after the other, never learn from their mistakes, and keep doing stupid things. the blame doesnt rest on anyone but themselves, atleast the majoirty of the blame.

I sat in on the Mid Atlantic Marine Fisheries council meeting yesterday in OCMD. I was there for another issue , But was sickened when I heard the HMS committee report. I'm gonna wait till the minutes are published So I can show you the whole truth about swords , Circles in Tournaments and the Closed areas in FLA. I think some might find themselves sickened as well.

[Younger]

It's sad to say that OUR fish are being destroyed by politics.

We can fight between ourselves all that causes is more hatred, At the end of the day NMFS sits back and laughs. It is impossible for NMFS to do a good job managing when they are being influenced by so many special interest groups.

They should stick to the facts !!!!!

Lets do that. These exempted permits are nothing more than a ploy to get longliners back in a closed area. The "study" could be conducted in an area that is not closed. It is a sickening ploy.

[fishpicker]

Younger I think you might want to either wait for the Minutes of the Mid Atlantic meeting HMS committee report or research the permits a little more.