S.A.F.M.C. vote in........

[Ambitious]

from TBF:

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Opposes Atlantic Longline EFP


On June 14th the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council voted to oppose the longline Exempted Fishing Permit that would allow 13 vessels to fish longlines in the northern portion of the South Atlantic Conservation Zone closed to such gear. TBF's opposition to this permit was again expressed by fishery scientist Dr. Russell Nelson at the final public hearing on the topic held before the Council. "TBF is grateful that the South Atlantic Council expressed their strong opposition to this permit request," said TBF President Ellen Peel, "and we hope their recommendation against issuing it will be followed by the NMFS Washington staff."

BUT, I also received this in an email :

The vote was 7 for the motion to deny the permit (Bill Tehan - FL, Susan Shipman - GA, Duane Harris - GA, David Cupka - SC, Frank Gibson - SC, Robert Broyles - SC, Mac Currin - NC), 3 opposed to denying the permit (John Wallace - GA, Rita Merritt - NC, and Bryan Chevraunt - NC), and 3 abstentions (NMFS, FWS and Tony Iarrocci - FL).


Rita Merrit the offered the following motion: The AFMC recommend that NMFS takes necessary steps to ensure that it fully utilizes its swordfish quota and not allow transfer of our US quota share to other foreign longline fleets. This recommendation includes consideration of EFP programs with clearly defined research objectives necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of mandatory circle hooks and safe release and handling practices to minimize bycatch and bycatch mortality of non target species. And such steps should be properly observed with real time monitioring to ensure compliance with appropriate and conservation bycatch caps.

The Council correctly saw through this obviously well thought out motion in anticipation of the EFP being denied. This essentially would tell NMFS to go ahead do what the Council just voted against 10 minutes previously.


so, what does all this mean? Does it mean that NMFS will approve the permits anyway despite a majority opinion by the council? Ron, any help with this???

[miamiangler1]

That`s the way goverment works ... they will screw you no matter what !I say keep writting e-mails .. write to the ones that oppose it tell tell them how you feel !NO PLL IN OUR WATERS!

[Radarsrus]

How do we e.mail this guy Tony Iorocci. We should all be spending some time on the keyboard to show this man some "love and attention"...