Swordfisherman Alert

[RiskTaker]

Authur,

Your concern did not go un-noticed. John Anderson posted an official SESC statement in advance to tomorrow's meeting.

http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/f...pic.php?t=6356


I am glad you voiced up, because I am sure that there may have been many others that were not quite comfortable to support a cause, and just trusting key speakers comments without some idea of where they are coming from.

Good job, and I hope that settles any others anxiety about providing support and solidarity for those things you concur with.

[Bait Washer]

Sent Suzanne Wentley from, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers,
info pertaining to the meeting. She acknowledged receiving it and is also forwarding it to Ed Killer their outdoor writer.

[TBF]

The Billfish Foundation (TBF) recommends that all anglers in south Florida interested in swordfishing attend the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 27, 2006, between 7-9 pm, at the Broward County Library (100 S. Andrews, just off Broward Blvd). The purpose of the meeting is for the NMFS to receive comments on how to reinvigorate the U.S. swordfish fishery.

Background of Swordfish Fishery:

- North Atlantic swordfish stocks have been overfished since 1978, and despite changes in quota levels over the years, the U.S. longline fleet has not taken its allowable catch since 1992.


- Beginning in 1999 the stock assessment reported an increase in stock size and a decrease in the rate of fishing mortality with a substantial increase in the recruitment of young fish into the fishery. An international rebuilding plan was adopted at the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

- In 2000 the U.S. implemented closed zones to pelagic longline gear in the Gulf of Mexico and along the eastern seaboard as part of the nation’s rebuilding strategy, particularly to protect juvenile swordfish.

- By 2002 the stock size had increased to 94% and the fishing mortality rate was down to .75. Against U.S. opposition, ICCAT responded by increasing the Total Allowable Catch allocation to nations. The U.S. feared the recent gains in stock size would be lost through renewed overfishing.

- In 2003 the U.S. implemented a recreational bag limit on swordfish, also to protect juvenile fish.

- Despite the increase in catch quotas authorized by ICCAT, the 2006 stock assessment indicates that North Atlantic swordfish have recovered. This is the first success case for an Atlantic highly migratory species based on national and international management and a few large year classes of the species. What percentage of the recovery is comprised of juvenile fish has not been quantified.

U.S. Management:
- The nation’s primary fishery management law, the Magnuson Act, requires the NMFS to identify overfished species and to implement a ten year rebuilding program. In 1999, the NMFS finalized and implemented the first Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish and Sharks, which included the foundation to develop an international 10-year rebuilding program.

- Part of the swordfish rebuilding included the implementation of the closed zones to the U.S. longline fleet off the east coast of Florida up through South Carolina and two adjacent areas in the Gulf of Mexico in 2000.


- The 2006 North Atlantic swordfish stock assessment reports that the stock has recovered.


International Pressure:
- Other nations want a portion of the uncaught U.S. quota. If a portion is re-allocated to another country, the remaining U.S. quota could be divided again among recreational and commercial interests based on catch history (reported catch). No catch history, no catch; this is why it is important to report landed fish. (800-894-5528 to report)

- Other nations fish with little respect for the conservation of species, so re-allocation of some of the U.S. quota could result in an increase in the retention and overfishing of juvenile swordfish.

U.S. Pressure:
-The government does not want to lose part of its north Atlantic swordfish quota to another country.

- TBF and the recreational fishery and associated businesses do not want the closed zones, in which 99% of the recreationally caught swordfish are caught, re-opened to longline fishing.

- TBF and anglers do not want to see swordfish overfished again.

- The longline swordfish fishery wants to catch more fish within the allotted U.S. quota.

- The law states that once a stock has recovered, all interests must be given access.

- The government would like both U.S. recreational and commercial swordfish fisheries to co-exist.

- The U.S. government is likely wanting to take a plan to present at the November ICCAT meeting that indicates the U.S. might be able to catch its quota. In light of the catch history, this seems no longer possible because the quota has not been taken since 1992 and there are fewer boats now in the fleet.



TBF Recommendations:
Insist that the U.S. government:
- Retain the closed zone protections off southeast Florida to protect juvenile swordfish and to protect sailfish for the recreational fishery and businesses.

- Retain closed zone protections in the Gulf of Mexico for the fish and the recreational fishery.

- Begin bycatch reduction research outside closed zones.

- Use the accumulated “uncaught” U.S. quota to bargain with other countries that desire some swordfish quota. This could be on a year-to-year basis as a loan in return for their support of U.S. positions for billfish or other species.

- Reissue the call to anglers to submit their catch data, which might help close some of the quota gap. Also urge anglers to tag and release swordfish so that recapture data can be made available to better assess the juvenile swordfish movements.

- Monitor the newly authorized buoy fishery to assess how much of the quota it will catch.


__________________________________________________ _

The earlier postings encouraging constructive well focueds comments is excellent. Remember the decision making portion of the agency staff work within the D.C. Beltway and don't understand fishing and likely taking as the truth the comments I know that are being told that many anglers are selling their catch, so they might envision this as a case of one group wanting to sell versus another group wanting to sell.

The agency put the closer in place, it is working for the fish, for the fishing and for related business; so for that we applaud them.

See you tomorrow night, I plan on coming early in case anyone has questions of TBF.

Thanks for the opportunity to share our perspective with you.

Ellen

For more information, contact Ellen at 954-938-0150, ext. 108.
Visit www.billfish.org to learn more about TBF or to become a member!
To be removed from TBF's Electronic Newsletter mailing list, contact Jennifer.

[Broadbill-Pro]

TBF Wrote:
Other nations fish with little respect for the conservation of species, so re-allocation of some of the U.S. quota could result in an increase in the retention and overfishing of juvenile swordfish.

TBF seems concerned with the loss of the quota, but does not offer a solution in it's recommendations except for recs to report your catch. I think we are looking for a short term solution to retain the quota.


TBF Wrote:
Monitor the newly authorized buoy fishery to assess how much of the quota it will catch.

I assume TBF supports commercial bouy fishing in the closed area?


TBF Wrote:
The law states that once a stock has recovered, all interests must be given access.

I am not a lawyer, but that statement sure does sound like whoever wants to fish can and where they want to? Attorneys help me on this one..


TBF Wrote:
Use the accumulated “uncaught” U.S. quota to bargain with other countries that desire some swordfish quota. This could be on a year-to-year basis as a loan in return for their support of U.S. positions for billfish or other species.

The past accumulated "uncaught" US quota is on the chopping board as well, it will most likely be forfeited with the unused current quota since we are not showing intent to use it, those chips are off the table. This whole statement is unrealistic if ICCAT reduces the quota, we can not bargain with something we do not have.

[TBF]

Broadbill-pro, et al,

I appreciate the opportunity to try to better clarify the points you note from our earlier postig. You raised the "lawyer" issue and while I don't think it is essent, I'll share with you I have two law degrees. I depend on that, my experience, my fish sense and my love of fishing to try to do the best job I can. Your input and that from others is very helpful.

We did offer the option for the U.S. to use the underage or accumulated quota to bargain with other nations who want quota. This worked in 2000 when we bailed Japan out to help us on marlin. If it were done on a year to year basis and between two countries, we retain the quota. The risk of losing quota depends on how much pressure is brought forth by other countries at this year's negotiations in November. I think the agency wants to have an option in its negotiating strategy to counter a suggested reduction - i.e. "we have a new option in the US that we think will allow more fish to be caught, so ICCAT don't reduce now."

The buoy gear is now an authorized gear under the Plan and therefore can fish in any and all waters, it is not a restricted gear anywhere, other than the number of buoys and hooks. THerefore it would be prudent to monitor the new fishery to determine how much of the quota it will take. The agnecy authorized the gear so the US would catch more swordfish. TBF is concerned that the buoy gear will cause gear conflicts with anglers, and we anticipate some of the buoys will drift away and be lost and continue ghost fishing. It is not a question now whether anyone wants the gear in the closed zone, the gear is authorized and they can fish anywhere.

The law provides that once a stock has recovered all interests be provided fair access - this is not defined more specifically, but is known by user groups. I don't think anyone would prefer having a federal judge interpret what the clause means - a judge could interpret it to mean where one user group has access all must have access. We do not want that interpretation nor do we suggest running the risk of having a non-fishing judge have the opportunity to make such a ruling. It is better to work with the regulatory agency and continue stressing the closed zone is working for increasing the swordfish stock size and the overage is serving somewhat like a conservation buffer.

The regulation that closed the areas is not permanent, they are in place until the agency decides there is a need to change that regulation.

The unused quota has been accumulating and we have not lost it. It is difficult to negotiate to retain since there is no history of total catch. The last time the US caught its quota was in 1992. The fleet is smaller now.

Before tomorrow's meeting I will look up the tonnage caught by the U.S., recreational and commercial together, over the past 5,6 and 7 years to see if we were to have 40% of the quota taken, would it likely force the agency to reallocate between recs and commercials. It not, then our fishing may not be impacted through a re-distribution in the US. The fish's status might be impacted before long for any transferred quota would most likely be caught regardless of the size of the fish - and possibly imported into the U.S. The U.S. is only second to Spain in swordfish consumption.

I think it is important to stress to the agency it put the closures in place, they are working for the good of the fish, the fishery and the related businesses. We need to applaud them on that point and make our case that protections stay in place.

Because the closure off south Florida includes the swordfish nursery ground, this zone will be less likely changed by the government.

I look forward to meeting you Broadbill-pro tomorrow night. I hope this has helped and welcome the opportunity to talk with you at the meeting. For now I have to work on some other fish, but do look forward to seeing you and all the other anglers at the meeting.

Ellen

[RiskTaker]

Thanks Ellen:

For posting the informative information on this site from TBF's perspective.

Vinnie - Thank you too for keeping up a perspective from another vantage point. It seems like you have been taking a little bit of abuse, to play the devil's advocate. But that perspective is really important to balance out the needs statement. Otherwise the recreational interests are like a runa-away freight train with blinders on. Thanks for holding in there, and taking the beating. I may not necessarily want to go along with your recommendations but the vantage point we have would certainly be very Naive without you laying down some commerical and real U.S. concerns on the table. See you all there tomorrow night.

[rollin]

Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

Hey guys, theres a part to this you are missing. These fish do not spend their entire life off South florida waiting for you to catch them. They roam up and down the coast and into INTERNATIONAL waters! This is why the quotas are important. If the US does not catch the quota, and it is given to some other country they WILL catch their quota and that means less fish for all Americans, recreational and commercial alike.
Something to think about.

oh man - i had to stop laughing long enough to answer this one.

in 2000 a survey of LLs was done by an independant source, a university, not affiliated with any comm. or rec. interest that said the LLs catch worldwide for hms species was down 90%. that means that for every 1000 hooks in the water, which used to yield 100 fish, that same 1000 hooks was now only catching 10 fish.

what does that tell you people? this is not rocket science.

LLs should not only be kept out of the closed zones, they should be outlawed worldwide - period.

R

[Broadbill-Pro]

TBF Wrote:

We did offer the option for the U.S. to use the underage or accumulated quota to bargain with other nations who want quota. This worked in 2000 when we bailed Japan out to help us on marlin. If it were done on a year to year basis and between two countries, we retain the quota. The risk of losing quota depends on how much pressure is brought forth by other countries at this year's negotiations in November. I think the agency wants to have an option in its negotiating strategy to counter a suggested reduction - i.e. "we have a new option in the US that we think will allow more fish to be caught, so ICCAT don't reduce now."

This is very encouraging!! A short term solution :thumleft:


TBF Wrote:
The fish's status might be impacted before long for any transferred quota would most likely be caught regardless of the size of the fish - and possibly imported into the U.S. The U.S. is only second to Spain in swordfish consumption.

Keeping this point at the forefront of our discussions is vital and shows that the concern is for the fish and not our selfishness to save our own backyard only.

Ellen, Thank you for clearing up TBF position and taking the time to educate us. It now seems you have a definite course plotted out.

[TBF]

See you tomorrow night. I plan on getting there early so if you do the same we'll get a chance to talk more.

[Islander]

Originally Posted by Broadbill-Pro

TBF Wrote:
The fish's status might be impacted before long for any transferred quota would most likely be caught regardless of the size of the fish - and possibly imported into the U.S. The U.S. is only second to Spain in swordfish consumption.

Keeping this point at the forefront of our discussions is vital and shows that the concern is for the fish and not our selfishness to save our own backyard only.

Ellen, Thank you for clearing up TBF position and taking the time to educate us. It now seems you have a definite course plotted out.

I could not agree with you more BP :thumleft:

[RiskTaker]

Originally Posted by Broadbill-Pro

TBF Wrote: The U.S. is only second to Spain in swordfish consumption.

And the only reason for that is because we, (those in the EEUU), for the most part, are not fully edumecated in the proper use of the Paellara. If we did, we would be number one for sure! Did I ever mention that swordfish goes great in Paella? If I did not, it must have slipped my mind. :razz: Actually, if you know my posts, I have covered that aspect very well. :lol: But just as a refresh...

My sincere advice to you: get yourself a Paellara and put it into use. You can thank me later, for the recommendation: once you realize and then appreciate what it is all about, seriously. For more info. on this see: http://www.paellapans.com/index.html. My personal recommendation is the , 18" (46 cm) stainless paella pan - Serves 6 to 8 people. Price: $94. My reason: it fits in my BBQ grill with lid closed, so I can make Paellas without the stand or the burner element. But if you really get serious into this culinary art, you will need to purchase more paraphenalia. Consider yourself advised.

FYI - I had to back off of the lawyer joke, actually because it really wasn't that funny... It started out something like: how many attorneys does it take to... Well, only one. :roflmao: It's a lawyer joke, it does not have to be funny.

Thanks Ellen, for the valuable input. Hasta Mañana.

P.S. - I hope everybody made their phone calls today and perhaps wrapping into tomorrow as well, to pass the word that the NMFS meeting is tomorrow. Definitely plan to arrive early: 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. This will allow a little extra time to settle in.

[ReelIntubaiter]

Originally Posted by Broadbill-Pro

I will concede that the Straits of Florida resident sword population did suffer from Longlines, but seasonal catches here remained consistant (June, July, November especially).

BB-pro:
Thanks for your response. I don't think we'll ever totally agree but you do admit to that the "Straits of Florida resident sword population did suffer from Longlines". How do you conclude this if the your catch rates didn't drop?
Maybe my term "decimate" was a little harsh but ICAAT information suggested a dangerous rapidly declining Swordfish biomass. But you believe this data is bogus.
Bottom line is that you think LLers had little if any effect on Swordfish populations and I dissagree based on the best "objective" data available. I guess neither one of us will concede their position.
I do hope that LLers will not be allowed back into the Florida Straits. And I hope the recreational Swordfsiherman will make thios loud and clear.
BB-pro, I look forward to meeting you tomorrow night. I would love for you to share some of your Swordfishing wealth of knowledge that you have accumulated over the years.
I believe commercial fishing is an honorable way to make a living. And also not an easy way to make a living. Unfortunately "greed" is a human emotion shared by all mankind (including recreational and commercial fisherman). That is why both recreational and commercial fisherman need to have limits.... both on bag limits and size limits. If left unchecked the commercial guys would have the opportunity to do the most harm.
Instead of fighting with each other we all need to unite to help preserve this valuable resource for our future generations.
Have a great night.

[quack quack]

Now I feel the love

[ProfessorO]

Thanks everyone for some great, thought-provoking posts.
I'll throw my two cents in. There has been a lot of speculation
about US swordfish quota and ICCAT. ICCAT is politics in the
pure sense of the word and we have played the game well.
I don't think our luck will run out now. We need keep our fish
quotas up as high as possible so that one day we can trade
them for greenhouse gas emission quotas. cheers, O

[RiskTaker]

Good point Professor O:

Based upon Albert Einstein's break through theory in neclear physics, where E = MxCxC or MC squared. (Correction - wrong physics bucket)
I just wonder if we could come up with a corallary theory similar to the above:

Where we could possibly convert excess green house gases, divided by the speed of light (squared), which would equal a proportional mass of "fresh" Swordfish.

ie. GHG = Swordfish x C x C a/k/a convert green house gasses into swordfish

Good idea Arthur: I like it.

( I know we are already doing this now: we burn, x, amount of fossil fuels, providing a source of greenhouse gasses, applying eletrolume light technology and Voila, out comes a given amount of swordfish, still attached to the 80wide umbilical cord. I am thinking of higher efficiencies at the nuclear level. I.e push in a bunch of COs and NO's into a machine out comes a slab of swordfish. Got it. I sure wish I had one of them gizmos. )

[neptune]

RT, actually it was nuclear physics that the Einstein equation refers to, quantum physics was a theory developed by Max Plank I believe, but when applied to the ICCAT, NMFS et al, system of quota distribution both Einstein and Plank would concur that their theories are much more understandable..... :shock: but I like your application/equation better, it has that (yes I can visualize that) feel to it. Haaaaaaaaaaaaaa, I am going crazy for sure now at the end of this most interesting thread!!!!!!!!!


QQ, you're killing me dude, group hug.

Neptune,
Good luck today at NMFS

[RiskTaker]

Well I am glad someone from this planet got that joke.

(Oops, my bad, I meant to say this Solar system.) :roflmao:

(P.S. - It was a joke: we really do not have one of those machines. But if we can keep on putting un-utilized quota allocation into the Piggy Bank, it only makes sense that we would like to spend it on something worthwhile in the future.)

But I really question this whole idea of the rollover of un-used allotments anyway. For people/national negotiations, I can see a purpose. But God SAVE the Swordfish population, should we decide to crack open the piggy bank and catch A FULL ALLOCATION on any given year. Seems a bit counter-intuitive to me when the objective is to properly manage a healthy and sustainable fishery, year over year. I can see a little bit of bank rolling to cover some minor peaks and valleys. But the bean counter should be reset or excess accumulation should be cleared off the table from time to time. My opine only, from a purely conservation sense of the fish, not the piggy bank.

Man, now I am starting to feel the love too, like back in the 70s, Love, American style. And we can all sing along together (fishing brothers, Peace Mon): I'd like to teach the world to sing, in "perfect swordfish conservation" harmony...... It's the real thing: pass the Coke.