Atlantic Highly Migratory Species News
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces a final decision to issue a one-year extension of Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) 08-02 to continue scientific research in the East Florida Coast (EFC) and Charleston Bump closed areas. This action will also increase the area authorized for research in the EFC by 10 nautical miles (nmi) from 79° 40’ to 79° 50’ West Longitude in areas south of 30° North Latitude, and will allow vessels to retain prohibited and undersized species that are dead at haulback for scientific purposes. For more information, please see the attached notice or go to the HMS Division webstie at:
Office of Sustainable Fisheries
For the record, many groups have opposed this including the Swordfish Club, The Billfish Foundation, CCA, FRA, IGFA, etc etc etc......
Fishing to date has proven exactly why this is a closed zone. As of Dec 31, 211 swordfish have been kept with 141 undersized discards. Of those 141 undersized fish, 67 were released alive but in no documented condition, and 74 were dead at haulback. Bycatch included 1 white marlin, 2 blue marlin, and 4 sailfish of which 3 were dead.
Research in the open zone resulted in 205 swords kept, 29 released alive, and 59 dead discards. Bycatch included 7 white marlin (3 dead), 18 sailfish (3 dead), 23 blue marlin (5 dead), and 10 white marlin/roundscale spearfish (4 dead).
Bycatch and dead discards continue to be the curse of the longline industry.
Circle Hooks have had little if any effect, and recent research indicates that turtle interaction is actually higher with
Circle Hooks, but more turtles are released alive vs J hooks.
2 turtles also with two loggerheads in the open zone, and two leatherbacks in the closed zone.
The above is based on 65 sets of 500 hooks each, 18/0 non-offset circle hooks. 18 sets in the closed zone, and 47 sets in the open zone. (even the research boasts don't really want to fish in the closed zone!)