Controversial Subject

[Uncle Buck]

I know this may spark up a debate, but I'm throwing this out on the table anyway.

Topic: With the threats of changing commercial swordfishing regulations in the Florida Straits, should we (recreational anglers) be keeping more fish?

I know many of us are conservation-minded, and choose to release small legal swordfish. (By 'small', I'm refering to the 47" to mid-50" range.) But, wouldn't it be better, in a 'political' sense, to keep ALL legal-sized fish? (within legal limits of course) ...thus increasing the numbers, and claiming more of our quota?

It sucks to be killing small fish before they can grow up. But if that's what it takes to claim more of our quota and keep commercial fishing pressure to a minimum... well, maybe we have to re-evaluate our conservative recreational fishing mentality. And when someone boats 3 fish per night, or keeps fishing after killing a slob, we shouldn't be so quick to question their ethics. After all, those recreational kills help to protect our fishery... right?

These are just my thoughts. I could be wrong. Your opinions are welcome.

[quack quack]

Sing this to the clash song should I stay or should I go know :lol: Should I kill or let it go now.If I kill 3 there will be trouble if I dont kill it will be double.Should I kill or let it go.

[just2fish]

quack, the clash is the only band that matters...

if your a fan you will know what that means..

[quack quack]

:lol: :razz:

[Broadbill]

Rec. guys will never dent the quota, even if we all kept 3 a night.

[Shark Tagger]

Originally Posted by Broadbill

Rec. guys will never dent the quota, even if we all kept 3 a night.

Exactly.

[Uncle Buck]

Originally Posted by Broadbill

Rec. guys will never dent the quota, even if we all kept 3 a night.

Okay... so if that's the case... why do we bother to report our kills?
(That's a rhetorical question. I know the reason.)

[BrassyHooker]

Originally Posted by Uncle Buck

Okay... so if that's the case... why do we bother to report our kills?
(That's a rhetorical question. I know the reason.)

Whats the reason?

[quack quack]

So we can send our money to NMFS for a permit so they can count the fish we catch to show how the fishery is recovered and the straights should be opened to LL again then we can catch more of our quota :shock: opps was that to honest What is the money raised from the hms permit sales used for?Any one got that answer?

[Uncle Buck]

It's a double-edged sword... fish. :???:

[Hicatch]

Originally Posted by quack quack

So we can send our money to NMFS for a permit so they can count the fish we catch to show how the fishery is recovered and the straights should be opened to LL again then we can catch more of our quota :shock: opps was that to honest What is the money raised from the hms permit sales used for?Any one got that answer?

Why the paranoia? NMFS is not going to embarass themselves by re-opening the Florida Straits; if this was on thier agenda there would be Public Hearings this month in South Florida. Since they've chosen not to have one here that suggests that there is no interest in lifting the Time Area Closure.

Please look at this issue from a broader perspective. It is important that recs report their fish in order to prevent losing the ability to fish year round without ridiculous closures due to lost quota. In fact I would even suggest reporting released fish as well in order to show higher numbers of caught fish. By doing so we could insure ourselves a larger recrational quota when/if we have to adjust our ICATT quota.

Swordfish are managed internationally and we must look at all areas where swordfish are caught in our domestic fishery, not just in our backyard. If NMFs announces publicly in the Federal Register then in the HMS Report that swordfish are underutilized there will be a furious debate at ICATT for the U.S. to concede quota. This is not in our best interest.

[Uncle Buck]

I'm not questioning the reason for reporting. I'm all-for reporting releases along with kills. But, does the NMFS collect release data too?

[quack quack]

I agree with you Hicatch.I am well aware of the lost quota implications and the challenge we face at the next iccat meeting.I do not think the other countries will try to get our quota like you said we have to much pull there for them to mess with us.It is sad that it is all so bureaucratic.I do feel that nmfs would not mind opening the straights for research LLing and if by catch rates and gross tonnage of swords was up there they would push to have it opened fully at least for some of the year.The opening is not on the slate now but do not fool yourself the ball will start rolling at these meetings for the opening of the straights.I know I would say they should be opened if I was still LLing. :shock:

[Fuzzy Details]

Man I wish I had to worry about how many fish to keep in a night.

Looking at it from the consumption side, no more then 1 fish per person. My recent first catch was 52" and yielded 38-40 pounds of meat. Even after splitting it with crew and giving some away, I still have some steaks. I dont know what you guys do with all the meat you bring home, maybe I need more friends.

As far as commercial harvest goes, I think it would be better for them to offer more commercial permits which allow us "recreational" guys to sell our catch. That would be a stepping stone in increasing the quota without going the LL method.

[Hicatch]

Originally Posted by Uncle Buck

I'm not questioning the reason for reporting. I'm all-for reporting releases along with kills. But, does the NMFS collect release data too?

What says they have to know they were released? We are allowed up to 3 fish per trip when there are three or more on board; so why not report the fish that are released(as landed) as long as it doesn't exceed the landed amount. Who is going to know? How often are we stopped and checked? Sometimes it is necessary to bend the rules in the benefit of others.

[Uncle Buck]

Hicatch... That HAS crossed my mind. If ya wanna take that even further... then lets all report 3 kills per night each time we go out? That'll jack up the numbers quickly. Sounds like a plan. :lol:

But in reality, that's tampering with the science behind data collection. I'd rather it be accurate than skew the results. Who knows what too many kill reports will lead to. We could still be screwing ourselves. :???:

[Broadbill-Pro]

Originally Posted by Uncle Buck

Hicatch... That HAS crossed my mind. If ya wanna take that even further... then lets all report 3 kills per night each time we go out? That'll jack up the numbers quickly. Sounds like a plan. :lol:

But in reality, that's tampering with the science behind data collection. I'd rather it be accurate than skew the results. Who knows what too many kill reports will lead to. We could still be screwing ourselves. :???:

[-X

Be careful or the next meeting will be here.

[pushbutton2]

I personally report catches. I don't know why, except the fact that I am supposed to. But I do think it is a waste. If you know anything about data and the collecting of it, you know that it is always manipulated to represent and substantiate a predetermined thesis.

[Hicatch]

Originally Posted by Broadbill-Pro

[-X

Be careful or the next meeting will be here.

:twisted:

just posing a hypothetical question, not insinuating someone should bend the rules...

[Uncle Buck]

I know... I was kidding.