Some intel from DC...

[quack quack]

This is one time that I am glad it takes NMFS a while to do anything.This is all just talk as of now.But I know that they would love to open up the handgear and put out a gen permit.1st they would sell the permit I am sure.Then they would have a better way of tracking the rec fish that are caught here.It would look good at ICCAT as well.But as stated above it would be to much pressure for sure.Then as a bonus for NMFS there would be no more rec opposition to PLL in this area.Because every one with a permit would now be considered a commercial fisherman and would not have any say in the PLL issue.Because we would like like greedy commercial guys looking to keep the fish to line our own pockets.

[quack quack]

FYI when a new president comes to office they appoint a new head of NOAA and NMFS.So who knows what kind of people we will have to deal with next.

Like most things if a Dem gets in office they tend to be more green.Who know maybe the head of PETA will be the next head of NMFS.

[quack quack]

I will be out of town this weekend but I will try to check in.

[Captain Ollie]

Unfortunately, this is one instance where NMFS is not going to be moving slow. They fully intend to fast track these plans.

Go git 'em while you can guys.

[quack quack]

The faster the train the easier it is to derail my friend.

[billspilingup]

If everyone was selling their swords, wouldn't the price fall even more and the PLLs would have less reason to fish for them? Isn't that why many longliners target tuna instead - it pays more?

[kyle]

I don't think it will be as bad as everyone thinks.
To get the permit you'll still need an RS, have the boat commercially registered and all commercial safety equipment to go along.

That'll include all your dayshapes, maybe lighting (red over white), EPIRBS, liferafts, commercial life jackets with strobes and whistles attached, even all the paracutes and smokes.

I mean don't get me wrong people will do it but I don't think many want the hassle or expense of it.

Ollie/Quack what do you think maybe a henderance?

[Relentless33]

A quote from "NMFS" on Wikipedia:

"With the help of the six regional science centers, eight regional fisheries management councils,[1] and three interstate fisheries management commissions[2], the NMFS works with communities on fishery management issues to promote sustainability and to prevent lost economic potential associated with overfishing, declining species, and degraded habitats. The agency also attempts to balance competing public needs for the natural resources under its management."

National Marine Fisheries Service - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Flatsfish B]

Originally Posted by kyle

I don't think it will be as bad as everyone thinks.
To get the permit you'll still need an RS, have the boat commercially registered and all commercial safety equipment to go along.

That'll include all your dayshapes, maybe lighting (red over white), EPIRBS, liferafts, commercial life jackets with strobes and whistles attached, even all the paracutes and smokes.

I mean don't get me wrong people will do it but I don't think many want the hassle or expense of it.

Ollie/Quack what do you think maybe a henderance?

You are right to an extent. How bad do they enforce the saftey laws now on commercial fisherman??

[CaptKen]

Originally Posted by kyle

I don't think it will be as bad as everyone thinks.
To get the permit you'll still need an RS,

Im confused
If they are trying to put in an express lane to get the quota, Why would they even bother if most wouldn't be able to qualify for an RS in the first place ?

and besides isn't it the other way around ? swords being a federal fish why would you need a RS which is a State liscense isn't it ?

wouldn't you start the other way by x amount of dollars selling swords in order to qualify for an RS ? as an example buy a kingfish liscense and your good to go ?

I dont think it will happen anyway after all the lawsuits get filed, ya never know though, stranger thing have happened, I guess it all depends on how serious they are about the quota. If the commericals are crying now about $3.00 a lb and they hand out liscenses to Recs I bet you will see $2.00 a lb.
and 20 Grand direct permits not worth squat around here at least.

[Captain Ollie]

I have no idea where Kyle got his info from.
You don't need an RS to hold either a handgear or directed permit.
The vessel you fish from just has to have a regular run of the mill saltwater products liscense AND be commercially registered.
Its actually to bad that this is not the case because then the majority of the guys fishing bouys now would never have been able to qualify for the RS endorsement.

PS....For those that don't know "RS" stands for "Restricted Species." This is an endorsement on a saltwater product liscense which allows you to keep over the recreational bag limit of fish designated as such. The endorsement carries an income qualifier. The income must come from sales of saltwater products made to a liscensed wholesale dealer. I believe its something like either $5000 or 25% of your annual income. I can't remember for sure if those are the exact numbers. I'm sure if your bored, what with the beautiful weather forecasted for the next few days, you can look it up for yourself. Of course, just about any species you can think of is desiganted as a restricted species so its kind of a tough thing to get. You must also requalify to renew it every few years.

[kyle]

Originally Posted by Captain Ollie

I have no idea where Kyle got his info from.

Sorry it was my misunderstanding, I assumed you needed an RS to have the permits. I just looked it up.

Why are Swords not classified as restricted seeing as most fish are, especially if they are of any value? If a damn Bluefish is restricted a Sword should be.

I don't think it would matter for guys with a directed or handgear if they were to become a restricted species, surely you would catch 5k in a year to qualify. It would only affect new permit purchases.

Originally Posted by CAPTKEN

and besides isn't it the other way around ? swords being a federal fish why would you need a RS which is a State liscense isn't it ?

It would seem that way but that is not the case. Tilefish for example are under the Snapper/Grouper permit but to posses a commercial limit you still must have an RS. Same applies for all snapper/grouper, kingfish, Amberjacks. Dolphin and Wahoo are another example they are under an open access federal permit but are designated as Restricted Species.

[PURPLE FEVER]

Looking forward to the real reports from DC.

[Broadbill-Pro]

There is a real sense of urgency to retain the quota. As one AP Member told Dr. Hogarth and the HMS staff, they are about to loose 1000mt of swordfish quota on their watch and they should lower their heads in shame.

Reality has hit the fan, HMS is considering any and all ideas to increase the US harvest of swordfish.

Here are some of the ideas:

Restrict imports of swordfish from Nations who do not comply with bycatch regs (MSA has a provision for this).

Develope a "Eat Domestic Swordfish Campaign" (cost Gov. about 10m)

Increase the number of handgear permits (issue that all buoy effort was in the S. Florida area did not seem to concern anyone except us).

Remove all PLL upgrade restrictions (deja vu).

Allow all permits a grace period to activate their permit thru catch reports only. A "use it or lose it" rule. The permits would then be offered back into the industry for vessels who intend to contribute to the US harvest.

Reconsider allowing Charter agreements with other Nations to catch under US quota outside our EEZ only (I think this is complicated / may need US Captain onboard).

Allow foreign crew to fish on US flagged vessels.

Revise time/area closures

Remove live bait restriction in GOM

Remove HP restriction for handgear vessels.

Create a general catagory fishery.

Convert incidental permits to directed species.

Reinstate lasped permits

Remove 3 permit requirment on PLL.

Allow shark permits to fish for swordfish.

Modify the swordfish min. size limit.



There is a few of the proposals on the table, I'll let you guys chew on them for a while. I do have a few favorites and some that make no sense at all.

[The BEAST]

I'm gonna buy a white linen suit and learn disco dancing. I smell the 70's again.

Man o man. That is some serious CONSERVATION huh.

[Gaitor]

Originally Posted by Relentless33

A quote from "NMFS" on Wikipedia:

"With the help of the six regional science centers, eight regional fisheries management councils,[1] and three interstate fisheries management commissions[2], the NMFS works with communities on fishery management issues to promote sustainability and to prevent lost economic potential associated with overfishing, declining species, and degraded habitats. The agency also attempts to balance competing public needs for the natural resources under its management."

National Marine Fisheries Service - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My BS Alarm is sounding loud and steady

[Ocean Outlaw 420]

I'm not sure who misinformed you about the RS endorsement but you have to have it to sell over the bag limit of any restricted species even if you have a federal permit.Why would they make an exemption for swordfish and not King Mackeral,snapper,grouper,etc.Unless the buoy guys are only selling there rec limit then they are breaking the law.

[Captain Ollie]

Swordfish are not designated as restricted species.

[Disco Lady]

COÑO!!!!!!!!!!! White linen suit Disco dancing.......

[Ocean Outlaw 420]

That doesn'make a whole lot of sense but whatever.Recs still have no business selling swordfish.We can't stand a lower price for swords then what we are getting right now.Not all of us are fishing for tuna rite now.As a Pll'er I would like to see a restriction on imports.Imports already drove the shrimpers out of business.