Swordfish Club Meeting JULY 15th

[Skip Smith]

DATE CHANGE from July 8th to

July 15th at the LHP yacht club.

The HOT topic will the July 28 NMFS meeting and how it might affect you. There is talk of a "General Category Permit" that would enable the recreational fishermen to buy a permit to sell their fish, which will probably cause a ruckus from the local commercial Sword boats (day or buoy) that bought a commercial license. The other problems are that by enabling this category the NMFS could even shut us down with closures.

Also Captain Tony DiGiulian will discuss his Swordfish adventures over in the waters of Saudi Arabia.



Dear Swordfish Club Members & Friends:

Here is the schedule for the remainder 2009!

We are recognized by NMFS as the largest group of recreational Swordfisherman in the world. Let’s keep it going!

Here is our 2009 schedule. (Wednesdays, unless otherwise stated)
July 15th, Lpyrc
Sept 9, location tbd
Nov 11, location tbd


The 2009 membership fee will be $75.00 (down from$125) (and pro-rated as the year ends) as we really want to keep our members happy and involved in the club. Membership includes access to all meetings, the internet reporting site and all the great speakers and their stories. Due to this new price we will not be including a t-shirt, but we will have some new RJ Boyle designed T-Shirts for sale at the meetings.

There will be a guest fee of $15 and students (college too) are always free (with ID or a darn good story)

Don’t forget the club offers us their pasta bar (and ice cream) for $25 and that includes their tip. J

All Lpyrc meetings are to be held at 7pm, at the Lighthouse Point Yacht and Racquet Club.
2701 NE 42nd Street
Lighthouse Point, FL 33064
Phone: 954-942-7244

All other meetings will be announced ASAP.
Please note that all meetings may be moved or cancelled due to uncontrollable circumstances. (calm weather and hot fishing being the most popular excuse)

Please email me with any questions you may have: skip@customshootout.com

See you there!

Swordfish Club - Recreational Swordfishing Club

[Ron.38 Special]

Obviously the topic of the day is the proposals by NMFS for more permits. We need to develop and agree on the clubs position on this one in time for our July response to NMFS.

[WhItEoUt 23]

This Permit sucks,Any average Joe can go spend 22 dollars and be able to sell fish what about the guys who have invested everything they have into this years ago i dont know one rec guy who even carries enough ice to properly ice down a core and who will be eating those sun dried swordsteaks you.This is not right!!!!I will be voting no on this one.

[bajakian]

Dave I have seen many commercial guys that dont ice their fish (and barely have enough for their drinks!) and there are plenty of rec guys who carry plenty of ice to chill their fish right. I'm not sure what the right answer is on this one, but I dont think the ice issue should be the issue alone. When a restaurant or sea food store buys one of those questionable fish, they are putting their reputation and business at risk for a few dollars savings. Just my two cents

[weekley rehab]

hey, If you ever get an idea I do not have enough ice look under my coffin box,150 pounds is normal. I know the value of getting em cold fast. you as a tournament guy also can explain the reasons why.

[WhItEoUt 23]

Thats enough ice for ONE nice fish what happens when you have a multiple fish day,ice is not the issue here we can go around this for days.If you think the 50 line is packed now just wait and see if this permit goes active you wont even have enough room to put out a bait their will be so many people out there.This is going to put local fishermen out of Businness!!

[Capt. JJ]

When I take the Tuna Time out, we fill a 320 SSI with ice. But that's not the real issue here. Commercial should be commercial, and rec should be rec. No mixing and matching. If you say "its to help cover the costs", then what if you didn't catch anything? The commercial guys work hard to make enough, and they don't need competition from us rec guys looking to make a quick buck off a fish. I buoy fished enough to know the BULL$HIT that goes on at the market, and how much crap the fishermen take anyway, and to flood the market with guys willing to take less is inexcuseable.

[WhItEoUt 23]

Well Said Capt.JJ!!If people think their going to take their fish to the market and sell them for a couple hundred bucks you better think again the price of swordfish will go down so fast it will make your head spin.What if your the guy who's been busting ass for years getting 4,5,6,7 dollars a pound and all the sudden it drops to 75 centshows that guy and his family gonna put grocries on the table.

[Uncle Buck]

Keep in mind... NMFS is proposing this as a means to increase our catch of the quota. The livelihoods of local commercial fishermen and the quality of fish at market is not the primary concern in this issue.

[bajakian]

Dave- there are a lot of guys that are selling fish illegally now. I am sure that you know your share of them. Thats not going to change whether this law passes or not. If I ever wanted to sell fish, I know plenty of people that would buy them from me. But I have no interest and not because its illegal. Most rec guys fish to put meat on THEIR table not to make a living. Sure there might be times when you hit the motherlode and can keep some and sell some but it doesnt happen that often. Its too hard to make a living off the ocean. Some may try but will quickly figue out that its a losing proposition. I think this law would allow the legal sale of fish mostly by those already doing it illegally. Still dont know where I stand on it, but if it passes like anything else, the market will sort it self out. I dont think there will be "millions of boats out on the fifty line" if it does pass. Fuel is just too expensive and its just not that easy to consistently catch big fish to pay for it.

[NightCrawler]

Originally Posted by bajakian

Dave- there are a lot of guys that are selling fish illegally now. I am sure that you know your share of them. Thats not going to change whether this law passes or not. If I ever wanted to sell fish, I know plenty of people that would buy them from me. But I have no interest and not because its illegal. Most rec guys fish to put meat on THEIR table not to make a living. Sure there might be times when you hit the motherlode and can keep some and sell some but it doesnt happen that often. Its too hard to make a living off the ocean. Some may try but will quickly figue out that its a losing proposition. I think this law would allow the legal sale of fish mostly by those already doing it illegally. Still dont know where I stand on it, but if it passes like anything else, the market will sort it self out. I dont think there will be "millions of boats out on the fifty line" if it does pass. Fuel is just too expensive and its just not that easy to consistently catch big fish to pay for it.

Dave, I agree with Doc. I just don't see it becoming a problem. The recs that are still fishing are doing it for the love of the sport not to make a few bucks. The ones that will try will quickly figure out that its a losing proposition. The ones that are selling illegally (a very small minority) will continue to sell illegally.
As far as the permit is concerned I just don't see it increasing the catch quota. I hope NMFS is not thinking that the majority of recs are selling illegally and by allowing us to sell our catch legally the catch quota
would increase because they would be dead wrong. Leave the commercial
fishing to commercial fisherman.

[Capt. JJ]

The issue is that the guys that sell illegally typically aren't going to the market. Reputable fish markets require permits and issue checks with taxes deducted. Illegal guys don't want a paper trail. They backdoor the fish at restaurants, cash from either the manager, owner, or head chef. Now they will be able to do it at the market, increasing supply. The commercial guys don't get paid if its rough out or the fish don't bite. Most people's jobs aren't dependent on the wind.

[NightCrawler]

I don't see these people selling illegally going legit and flooding the market
with swordfish. I just don't

[quack quack]

I used to be 100% against this now I am not so sure. I used to think the 50 would get slammed but not so much anymore. I agree with the rec or commercial thing for sure. The gen cat permit they are talking about now states the boat must be reg as a commercial boat. So unless a rec guy wants to go change his boats reg they can not get the gen permit ticket. If a rec does change his boats reg then he must let his insurance know as well as the bank if they owe on it. I do think a lot of other commercial guys like king and snapper guys will get it. I do think that is the intent of NMFS. They want guys that are already com to be able to catch and sell swords as well to help keep quota.

If they keep the commercial designation in the final passage. Then I would support the gen cat because it will be guys that are commercial already selling swords. But if they do away with the com only deal and open it to all rec guys I would not support it.

[WhItEoUt 23]

Originally Posted by Uncle Buck

Keep in mind... NMFS is proposing this as a means to increase our catch of the quota. The livelihoods of local commercial fishermen and the quality of fish at market is not the primary concern in this issue.

It should be a big issue I'll go as far as saying 60 percent of the rec fishermen out there dont report their fish if they did we would not be talking about this now.Just about all the fishermen who sell Commercially to(fish markets)have to report their fish becuse they get a trip ticket in order to get paid,As for the Quality of fish at the market it should be a huge concern!!For me as a consumer I like to no that when i sit down to dinner at Sushi Rock im getting the best quality fish i can get,not something that some weekend warrior went out there and threw on the deck for three hours baking in the sun!

[Uncle Buck]

I'm not saying it's not an issue... but NMFS will probably be more focused on ways to meet quota. ...and not quite as concerned with what the GenCat permits will do to established small-operation commercial fishermen or local market value/qualty.

[Disco Lady]

Originally Posted by WhItEoUt 23

It should be a big issue I'll go as far as saying 60 percent of the rec fishermen out there dont report their fish if they did we would not be talking about this now.Just about all the fishermen who sell Commercially to(fish markets)have to report their fish becuse they get a trip ticket in order to get paid,As for the Quality of fish at the market it should be a huge concern!!For me as a consumer I like to no that when i sit down to dinner at Sushi Rock im getting the best quality fish i can get,not something that some weekend warrior went out there and threw on the deck for three hours baking in the sun!

Ñoooooooo!!!!!: toast:

DL,

[miss quik]

in my opinion anyone that fishes out front past or present should be concerned about the issue at hand.

A general access permit would not only flood the swordfish grounds with local boats both day and night, but be prepared for anyone and everyone to show up.....

guys will be coming in from all over the place to fish here...basically living out there, pounding them 24-7......until they are done, while the local residents/fisherman will be left holding the bag in the end....


this is a very precious resource we have here. a lot of work has gone into protecting this area/fishery...we should not let it be in vain.


safety, crowding, fish quality, economics, our quota all play a very big part in this idea.

recreational as well as commercial fisherman both stand to lose if this permit is passed.



and for the record, i am the owner and operator of a local bouy boat. my opinion on this general access permit would be exactly the same if i were not.

chris

[WhItEoUt 23]

[QUOTE
A general access permit would not only flood the swordfish grounds with local boats both day and night, but be prepared for anyone and everyone to show up.....

guys will be coming in from all over the place to fish here...basically living out there, pounding them 24-7......until they are done, while the local residents/fisherman will be left holding the bag in the end....


this is a very precious resource we have here. a lot of work has gone into protecting this area/fishery...we should not let it be in vain.


[/QUOTE]

Exacatly their will be a whole other group of fishermen coming down from the North East to pound this day drop thing we have if this permit goes through. This Permit is wrong in so many different ways!!

[NightCrawler]

Cmon guys!! from the north east?? from all over the place??!!
go out on a flat calm night and you WILL NOT see our local bouy guys
pounding it 24/7!!!

I'm not really for this Permit, but I just don't see what you guys are worried
about. I do agree with QQ that king mac guys might and I say might, get this permit to sell swords.

[PURPLE FEVER]

EXACTLY!!All these scare tactics why?? Dont forget we will be overrun by moonies!

[bajakian]

Originally Posted by Capt. JJ

When I take the Tuna Time out, we fill a 320 SSI with ice. But that's not the real issue here. Commercial should be commercial, and rec should be rec. No mixing and matching. If you say "its to help cover the costs", then what if you didn't catch anything? The commercial guys work hard to make enough, and they don't need competition from us rec guys looking to make a quick buck off a fish. I buoy fished enough to know the BULL$HIT that goes on at the market, and how much crap the fishermen take anyway, and to flood the market with guys willing to take less is inexcuseable.

JJ-I would bet that you and most everybody on here know plenty of guys that sell illegal fish. How many people do you know that catch fish and then sell it through someone else's legitimate licence? Every time I charter a boat the captain angles to keep the catch at the end of the day so that he can sell it. Whether its front door or back door, it still impacts negatively on the market for legitimate fish. If you guys really want to protect the commercial interests why doesn't anybody report the guys that are selling fish illegally???

From my view point you are protesting a law that would make legal a practice that many do and everyone turns a blind eye to. I guess I don't get it.

[miss quik]

Originally Posted by NightCrawler

Cmon guys!! from the north east?? from all over the place??!!
go out on a flat calm night and you WILL NOT see our local bouy guys
pounding it 24/7!!!

I'm not really for this Permit, but I just don't see what you guys are worried
about. I do agree with QQ that king mac guys might and I say might, get this permit to sell swords.

i am glad to hear that you are not for this permit.

to clarify on my reason for worry....

if the kingfish fleet will move in great distances (and they do) .....gen acces swordfish guys will do the same......


when it is blowing up north, and too ruff to fish
and the bottom fishing is off the hook down here.....

you better belive those boys will be down here..... gas is cheap now and time is plentiful when its ruff at your home port.

we run 17 miles to fish.......a very precious resource....why take even the slightest chance at compromising that? commercially or recreationally.

back to my first statement, im glad your not for this permit. neither am i.

[PURPLE FEVER]

" gas is cheap now" Chris where are you buying your gas? If your group is worried about all these guys from up north coming down here to fish what kind of gear do you think they will be using? Do you think these kingfish guys will be buying LP'S and such? Let them hand crank a few times and see how often they do it!

If the recreationals have to comply with all the commercial rules like you guys do, there wont be the fleet you think there will be.

IMHO this is being way overblown by former rec guys that are now commercial and are worried about their own little INTERESTS.

[JahMussa]

Burt... you have been a true sportsman and have tagged many fish for release in the past and I would assume you will continue to do it. But just for the record, If you can sell your fish with a GC pemit vs tagging them.... would you start selling your fish if it cost less than $50 for the GC permit?

As I understand it, the GC permit would turn the rec guy into a Comm guy. That means if you have insurance on your rec boat, get ready for sticker shock. If you have Boat US or SeaTow... say goodbye to that as you are no longer covered under their policy, If you don't have an ice machine, you will need to get one. Basic rule is 1 lb of ice for every Lb of fish no matter if you catch fish or not, that's a minimum of 200/400lbs of ice on average per trip.

Bluefin Tuna sales were allowed under a GC permit and there are now 1400 permits out there from SC to Maine. Being that we have a "near shore" fishery, it's easy and the masses will come here for sure so bank on that. That may or may not be a good thing... you decide after listening to the facts as we know them.

So I'm against the GC permit as I understand it currently. I fish rod/reel and with gear and I sell tackle to both sides of the line. Business wise, I should be jumping up and down for enabling the GC rec permit as that would surely boost sales in a slow economy but I'm not for it at all.

I'll be at the Swordfish club meeting to hear more about all this as should everyone else. I will also be at the meeing on the 28th with my bag of pennies as I will give my 2 cents as many times as they will let me.

There are other ways to increase the quota without opening up our backyard to the masses and we should be focused on presenting those options on the 28th. If we can't find a way to increase our quota, we will loose a part of it which could potentially close down swordfishing for months on end for rec and comm guys.

There's a lot to think about and there are tons of grey area's to consider. Hope to see everyone at the meeting.

-Tek

[Great Escape]

So what's the solution? We have this quota to meet but we are not meeting it. Personally, I will not be changing my boat's reg from rec to commercial. So if this means that I could not get a GC license then so be it.

The commercial guys are pros and most rec guys like me will not have the deep knowledge and know how to compete. Yes we'll get our occasional fish but I just don't see the impact to the pros businesses.

Having said this, I'm open to having us rec guys have the option to sell fish through the local commercial guys in legal manner if this works with everyone else and is doable.

[miss quik]

Burt,

I am buying my gas at hess and jugging it to my boat for $2.63 a gal. compared to last summer at $4.00 a gall.

i am not speaking on behalf on any group. i am speaking my own thoughts and opionions.

i am not pinpointing a group of fisherman from any specific region, they;ll come from very close and very far to participate in the very special fishery we have here...wouldn't you?? i know i would.

my intent is not to discriminate on any region or keep this area exclusive to residents.

it is to keep the fishing pressure, and the safety of those involved ( on a recreational and commercial basis) to the standard that it is today.

and yes, they'll buy LP's....or whatever it takes to get it done.....


as for worries, WE should all be worried about the fishery first and our interests second.

What is your stance on the general access permit?

if they approve it will you have one?

will your interest big or small take presidence over the fishery?

As far as i'm concerend there is no LITTLE interest here,recreational and commerical fisherman should both be equally concerned. we are talking about a lot of issues rolled up in one, possibly defined by the approval of this general access permit....

Originally Posted by PURPLE FEVER

" gas is cheap now" Chris where are you buying your gas? If your group is worried about all these guys from up north coming down here to fish what kind of gear do you think they will be using? Do you think these kingfish guys will be buying LP'S and such? Let them hand crank a few times and see how often they do it!

If the recreationals have to comply with all the commercial rules like you guys do, there wont be the fleet you think there will be.

IMHO this is being way overblown by former rec guys that are now commercial and are worried about their own little INTERESTS.

[PURPLE FEVER]

Cris sent you a PM

[WhItEoUt 23]

Originally Posted by PURPLE FEVER

" gas is cheap now" Chris where are you buying your gas? If your group is worried about all these guys from up north coming down here to fish what kind of gear do you think they will be using? Do you think these kingfish guys will be buying LP'S and such? Let them hand crank a few times and see how often they do it!

If the recreationals have to comply with all the commercial rules like you guys do, there wont be the fleet you think there will be.

IMHO this is being way overblown by former rec guys that are now commercial and are worried about their own little INTERESTS.

What do you think these guys are broke yes they will be buying LP's, Daiwa Mp,Lingren pitmen these guys wont be hand cranking anything,IMHO This in not being way overblown.
Well Said TEK Hope to see all of you at the meeting's

[Tunachaser]

I agree with Burt on this one. I think most of this hype is BS scare tactics - very similar to the "Remember the 70's Don't Let It Happen Again" deal a few years back that most of us ate up hook line and sinker. I don't think this is as big of an issue as some are making it out to be.
In order to get the Gen Category permit, the rec guys would have to re-register their boats as commercial, change their insurance, etc, etc, etc and I honestly don't believe that most will go through that process/expense. There will be a few, but most will quickly find that it's a ton of work for very little money.
As far as guys coming down from the NE or coming in from other areas, I don't see that as being a cost effective move, from a business stand point. I know some of the local bouy guys and there are a significant number of nights where they are barely able to cover their expenses and some times they aren't even able to do that. They do have really good nights from time to time, but that is the exception more than the rule.
As far as this "crowding" teh 50 line. . . The 50 line is much less crowded now than I have seen it in the last 4-5 years, especially at night. I've been out on weekend nights recently with very few boats around, where just a couple of years ago we would have a hard time trying to find a clear spot to set up on a weekend night (sometimes even during the week).
I think that the Gen Cat Permit might help us get a bit closer to the quota, as I do believe that some of the local commercial king/snapper guys will get in on the action, but I honestly don't believe that this will "flood the market with swordfish" nor do I believe that this will "flood" the 50 line with a bunch of new folks trying to make a buck off of Swordfishing. I honestly believe that most who try to "make a living" off of Swordfishing will quickly find that it is a lot of hard work for very little money and just covering your expenses on a nightly basis can be difficult. Just my .02