Breakaway:
Yes, please report your landed fish. Yeah, and not to mention needing an NMS fisheries permit to Catch: Certain "regulated" Tunas, sharks and other Billfish.
Although you need a permit, I do not think that you need to report these other species of fish, with the exception of recreational landed Bluefin Tuna. Anyone, please advise if that is not correct.
Ron.38 Special posted the the most informative thread that I have seen so far. Stay tuned to that thread since he will probably post accurate updates as they become available. The SSC meeting on Wed. April 6 will likely also provide some current news on the matter.
Start gathering your thoughts for your petition letters to provide to NOAA when discussion opens up for public feedback. In the meantime, if you would like to start reading up on some dated information, but still pertinent to what NMS "Advisory Panels" and "Essential Fish Habitats" and FMPs - Fishery Management Plans, are allow about, then bookmark this link and peruse some of the documents contained. Of particular interest are the comments from the scoping session and take alook at the draft of the Admendment 2 Fishery Management Plan. Links below.
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/hms...html#swordfish
Take a look at the scoping or inquiry phase for 2005:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/Ame...ry%20final.pdf
Now take a look at the pre-draft:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/Ame...l_Predraft.pdf
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/Ame...April%2016.pdf
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/finalFMP.html
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/Ame...ry%20final.pdf
I saw somewhere what an exempt permit could be issued for. I cannot find the link again at the moment but it sounded something like testing out new gear to reduce juvenile catches. An exemption would allow longlining in anotherwise prohibited zone. I read it last night and just wish I had it handy today.
Anyways, good reading. RT