NMFS Answers many questions

[Broadbill-Pro]

Federal Register: Part III [50 CFR Part 635]

[quack quack]

Good stuff to read Thanks BBP.

[Ron.38 Special]

Just the legal notice of the rulemaking we talked about last year.
Nothing more, nothing less, and no new ramifications for the swordfishery beyond those already occuring.....

[quack quack]

While you say it is nothing new it is for people with questions about the why's behind NMFS actions.I only skimmed through it but there were many questions I have been asked by people on this forum.So instead of my answering them from what I know it gives answers from NMFS.I wish someone had put this up a long time ago.

[quack quack]

just some of the good questions and NMFS responces.
Comment 23: Recreational fisheries can develop rapidly and can threaten the Incidental catch quota. NMFS must properly monitor and record recreational and CHB swordfish landings to control the ultimate destination of these catches. NMFS should also include criteria that would allow for the downward adjustment of recreational limits to prevent exceeding the Incidental catch quota.

Response: As indicated in the response to Comment 21, all non tournament recreational swordfish landings by HMS Angling and CHB permit holders must be reported to NMFS, or to the states of Maryland and North Carolina as applicable. These landings are collected on a daily basis. Using historical reported recreational swordfish landings, the projections presented in the Draft Environmental Assessment indicate that increasing recreational retention limits will not result in an exceedance of the Incidental swordfish quota. However, anecdotal information suggests that recreational swordfish landings may be under reported. Reporting could increase in the future as more anglers become aware of the requirement through Agency outreach. NMFS will continue to collect recreational swordfish landings data, and will take appropriate and timely action to maintain compliance with the Incidental swordfish quota



Comment 28: Does the crew count when calculating the recreational swordfish vessel retention limit for HMS CHB vessels?

Response: No. The captain and crew do not count when calculating the swordfish vessel retention limit for HMS CHB vessels. Under the final regulations, the vessel limit is no more than one swordfish per paying passenger, up to six swordfish per vessel per trip for charter vessels; and no more than one swordfish per person, up to 15 swordfish per vessel per trip for headboat vessels. The retention limit for vessels issued an HMS Angling category permit is no more than one per person, up to four swordfish per vessel per trip

Comment 33: As a swordfish Handgear permit holder, I am opposed to lifting the upgrading restrictions on handgear vessels (nonpreferred alternative 2c). I feel that making numerous permits available would cause far too many buoy gear conflicts with the vast recreational fleet in the Florida Straits.

Response: In the final rule, NMFS is not removing or modifying upgrading restrictions for vessels issued limited access swordfish Handgear permits. Also, NMFS is not making any new commercial swordfish permits available, because they are all limited access. However, upgrading restrictions are being modified specifically for vessels that concurrently possess limited access Atlantic Tunas Longline permits, as well as Directed or Incidental swordfish and shark permits. Most of these vessels fish with PLL gear. HMS regulations also allow vessels with a Directed swordfish permit to fish with buoy gear in the PLL closed areas, if PLL gear is not onboard. Because many vessels that might fish with buoy gear have very high horsepower, several commenters have indicated that the current HP restriction is a limiting factor that prevents many fishermen from obtaining a Directed swordfish permit, along with the other two necessary permits, and deploying buoy gear. Therefore, by removing the HP upgrading restriction for Directed swordfish vessels, buoy gear fishing activity could increase. As described in greater detail in the response to Comment 40, NMFS currently believes that the buoy gear fishery is adequately regulated through limits on the number of buoys that may legally be deployed, gear monitoring and marking requirements, limits on the number of hooks that may be attached, logbook reporting requirements, and other general commercial fishing regulations. NMFS is aware of the concerns expressed regarding buoy gear, and may implement additional regulations on the buoy gear fishery in the future, if necessary.

[Broadbill-Pro]

Originally Posted by Ron.38 Special

Just the legal notice of the rulemaking we talked about last year.
Nothing more, nothing less, and no new ramifications for the swordfishery beyond those already occuring.....

Basic questions are asked eveyday by new members. I posted the link for them, not for the know it all's.

It's must be raining so no blasting is going on in the Everglades today.

[DIRTYFOOT2]

Thanks for the link Vinny. There is quite a bit of good info there.