Sword Reporting - How does it keep LL'ers out?

[Uncle Buck]

This not a question of how or why to report.

I've read in a few articles that if we report good numbers of swordfish being caught by recreational methods, it helps to keep the longliners out.

Huh?

I would think that if the gov't sees that we're catching lots of fish, that they would allow longliners back in. If we're proving that we have plenty of fish in our waters, why would that keep the commercial fleet out?

I know reporting catches will benefit the fishery, so I will do it. Just curious how it helps keep the commies out?

:?:

[CaptainEd]

This is what NOAA told me. If we don't report our catches they are going to have to sub contract professional long liners to swordfish the EEZ permitted as experimental. Then they will have real, current, accurate data to analize on the swordfishery and they only go by actual data, not opinion. They say since longlining was banned long ago in the EEZ they have no real, accurate data to go by and again they only go by factual data. Their question is, "How much has the sworfishery recovered?". Again, they want scientific facts not opinions. They told me it is much more cost effective for them to hire commercial longliners using their Captains, equipment and boats than it is for them to use the boats they own and hire people to collect swordfish data (swordfishing). They also said obviously the longliners are better swordfisherman than their scientists and would get better (catch more swordys) data faster. The longliners would have a paid NOAA observer on board to collect data and make sure protocol was followed but the longliners would be selling their swordfish as normal.

Also, ICCAT gives US fisherman the right to be able to compete with foreign fisherman. According to ICCAT it is NOT OUR swordfishery (recreational guys) it is both of ours. The commercial guys have a right to have a piece too. ICCAT also says that we have to meet a quota and if there is remaining fish under the quota we are supposed to let the foreign boats in until it's met.

Once I read the NMFS data, The ICCAT treaty and NOAA's encyclopedias on the swordfishery I realized just how big and complex this swordfishing thing is. It's global. It goes all the way to Washington DC.

The commercial guys want back in and don't let anybody lie to you all. As long as their is a price on the swordies heads they're going to get back in sooner or later. They hire professional lobbyists and it's politics. Remember no matter what NOAA or anyone else tells you wheels are in motion 24/7 trying to get the commercial guys back in. Weather you report or don't report that isn't going to change. I recomend you do report your landings because it is required as a condition of your HMS permit.

This whole thing is difficult to resolve because of the commercial interest, ICCAT and us recreational guys. Someone's going to lose. I feel when all is said and done greed will prevail. I also feel longlining on our coastal waters is an occupation who's time has come. My opinion means virtually nothing in the big picture. You'd have to ask the old timers... But we can never stop trying to fight the good fight.

[Deep_Sea_Gull]

Very well stated CaptainEd.

I say let the rec fishermen catch all the swords.

Speak with your state and national politicans. Tell them what you want. Allow the facts to speak for us.

Telephone in your catches.

[Uncle Buck]

Thanks CaptainEd! I understand now. I knew there would be a good reason, even though it's not logical on the surface.
:thumright:

[Randy]

Not good . If Edds scenario is correct
If we dont report they are going to use Longliners to collect data and if we do report and they see tons of fish being caught they'll open to longliners we're in a catch 22 situation. All the while our population is having to buy from foreign sources . If this scenario is correct I think Edd is correct that in the end were gonna be seeing LongLiners again.
Personally I would like to see better scientific data on the species before any species is regulated . Im tired of getting catch limits, size slots , minimun size limits and when i contact the regulating body and ask for example "If your increasing the minimum size on grouper can you tell me at what size they spawn ?" and getting the answer "We dont know" ! Kinda stupid to set a minimum size without knowing what size the species spawns . How do you increase a species population if you kill them 1/2" before they spawn ? Wouldnt it be wise to get the size they have to be to propagate the species and then figure at least a couple years longer (increase minimum size) before saying "OK, take em at 47" ? Im still trying to understand the recent (couple years now) 20" size limit on Dolphin . 20 INCHES ? What are you gonna do with a 20" dolphin ? Make a sandwich? bait ? Again , ask them what size they spawn and enjoy "Duh , I dont know" ! Anyone know how many sets of pups Swords have had before we harvest them at 47" ? 2-4-6-8 sets ? How many in a litter ? 47" ....

[Rod Chucker]

huh. so if we dont report, the LLs could be let back in. if we report too much, the LLs could be allowed back in.

i will report, (if i ever catch another damn fish!), but only because its the law under our permits.

also, Randy - they implemented a 10 per person or 60 per boat bag limit along with that 20" minimum size for dolphin. another useless reg.

can you picture 5 guys at the 15 st. ramp stripping 50 twenty-one inch dolphin at the table? what the hell was the NMFS thinking?

question: since not everyone reports sword catches, and for that matter, people could report sword catches that didnt happen because no one is required to PROVE that they caught one, how could the data be considered to be relevent or anywhere near accurate?

RC