SFC Fishing Forums - View Single Post - OK, So how many fish do the Buoys really catch?

RiskTaker · 07-17-2007, 01:14 PM

I don't like the way this thread is turning out. It is riddled with partial and mis-information. If we really want to fairly comment on the facts presented, it should be better structured. (Ron, I think it got clarified that Rod & reel is commercial for the data you presented. Is this FEC data, or total Buoy. It would be nice to see a PLL and recreational column provided too.)

I like the idea of showing how much fish is caught commercially: using buoy gear, rod & reel etc. But I really think that presentation needs to be cleaned up in order to have fair responses to the results. Like if we compare it to recreational then we need those numbers too, which must include the tournament data.

I just wonder if a person from NMFS could post the information directly, or provide and internet link directly to it. I would really hope that a simple spread sheet solution could provide a running tally and not just year end figures.

At least the good news is that we are keeping records, and the recreational crowd is encouraged to report their numbers. So I would speculate to guess that we have the highest level of compliance on recreational reporting than at any other times in the past and hopefully still improving to some level.

This information is good stuff, when it is represented fairly. With the data we may be able to track whether a trend in Buoy fishing is having a notable impact on our local swordfish population, or not. It could all be part of the bigger picture. Nevertheless, we should be able to determine some form of impact: whether it be stable, decreasing or increasing.

Regardless of the technique we, the people, need to stay apprised of how much fish is being removed from the sea by commercial methods. (Not an NMFS report submitted 18 months from now. Show us the raw data too.) Historically we have the data that indicates that recreational pressure is nearly negligible by comparison. ie. < 2%

Even with an increasing trend in recreational pressure I would find it very difficult to notice a quantum leap from the historic proportions. Unless of course, recreational anglers were so motivated to catch more fish. Say for, example if you were allowed to sell them.

I know I would be motivated to stay the extra hours to catch an additional fish to cover fuel expenses, etc. So if we are motivated to conserve our local fishery, I would not recommend that proposal. If we must meet the almighty quota at the possibility of substantially impacting our recovery, that is another matter.

I prefer to keep on fishing, year in and year out, with an easy does it approach. As the highest priority, we must keep a very watchful eye on the impact of a proliferation of commercial buoy fishing in the FEC. Showing tonnage along with trip tickets may be an effective way to do so.

I have spoken with Capt. Ollie before and I believe him when he says that you have to operate your commercial buoy operation very economically, or else you won't survive. And that is figured by your revenues minus your expenses. So you need the expense values if you are to have an educated opinion on whether you are making money or not. I also have believed him when there have been times that he could only get $2.xx for small plugs of swordfish, which affects the revenue bucket. But you simply cannot use that multiplier x the total commercial swordfish harvest, nor $5.xx, unless you can support that number.

There can be some good discussion here with good data on the table. But it will all go down a rat hole if we do not.

07-17-2007, 01:14 PM	#21 (permalink)
RiskTaker Grander Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pompano Beach, Florida, USA Best Catch: Had one once, then she took the boat away Posts: 2,006	We need better structure on this data. I don't like the way this thread is turning out. It is riddled with partial and mis-information. If we really want to fairly comment on the facts presented, it should be better structured. (Ron, I think it got clarified that Rod & reel is commercial for the data you presented. Is this FEC data, or total Buoy. It would be nice to see a PLL and recreational column provided too.) I like the idea of showing how much fish is caught commercially: using buoy gear, rod & reel etc. But I really think that presentation needs to be cleaned up in order to have fair responses to the results. Like if we compare it to recreational then we need those numbers too, which must include the tournament data. I just wonder if a person from NMFS could post the information directly, or provide and internet link directly to it. I would really hope that a simple spread sheet solution could provide a running tally and not just year end figures. At least the good news is that we are keeping records, and the recreational crowd is encouraged to report their numbers. So I would speculate to guess that we have the highest level of compliance on recreational reporting than at any other times in the past and hopefully still improving to some level. This information is good stuff, when it is represented fairly. With the data we may be able to track whether a trend in Buoy fishing is having a notable impact on our local swordfish population, or not. It could all be part of the bigger picture. Nevertheless, we should be able to determine some form of impact: whether it be stable, decreasing or increasing. Regardless of the technique we, the people, need to stay apprised of how much fish is being removed from the sea by commercial methods. (Not an NMFS report submitted 18 months from now. Show us the raw data too.) Historically we have the data that indicates that recreational pressure is nearly negligible by comparison. ie. < 2% Even with an increasing trend in recreational pressure I would find it very difficult to notice a quantum leap from the historic proportions. Unless of course, recreational anglers were so motivated to catch more fish. Say for, example if you were allowed to sell them. I know I would be motivated to stay the extra hours to catch an additional fish to cover fuel expenses, etc. So if we are motivated to conserve our local fishery, I would not recommend that proposal. If we must meet the almighty quota at the possibility of substantially impacting our recovery, that is another matter. I prefer to keep on fishing, year in and year out, with an easy does it approach. As the highest priority, we must keep a very watchful eye on the impact of a proliferation of commercial buoy fishing in the FEC. Showing tonnage along with trip tickets may be an effective way to do so. I have spoken with Capt. Ollie before and I believe him when he says that you have to operate your commercial buoy operation very economically, or else you won't survive. And that is figured by your revenues minus your expenses. So you need the expense values if you are to have an educated opinion on whether you are making money or not. I also have believed him when there have been times that he could only get $2.xx for small plugs of swordfish, which affects the revenue bucket. But you simply cannot use that multiplier x the total commercial swordfish harvest, nor $5.xx, unless you can support that number. There can be some good discussion here with good data on the table. But it will all go down a rat hole if we do not.