OK, So how many fish do the Buoys really catch?

[RiskTaker]

I don't like the way this thread is turning out. It is riddled with partial and mis-information. If we really want to fairly comment on the facts presented, it should be better structured. (Ron, I think it got clarified that Rod & reel is commercial for the data you presented. Is this FEC data, or total Buoy. It would be nice to see a PLL and recreational column provided too.)

I like the idea of showing how much fish is caught commercially: using buoy gear, rod & reel etc. But I really think that presentation needs to be cleaned up in order to have fair responses to the results. Like if we compare it to recreational then we need those numbers too, which must include the tournament data.

I just wonder if a person from NMFS could post the information directly, or provide and internet link directly to it. I would really hope that a simple spread sheet solution could provide a running tally and not just year end figures.

At least the good news is that we are keeping records, and the recreational crowd is encouraged to report their numbers. So I would speculate to guess that we have the highest level of compliance on recreational reporting than at any other times in the past and hopefully still improving to some level.

This information is good stuff, when it is represented fairly. With the data we may be able to track whether a trend in Buoy fishing is having a notable impact on our local swordfish population, or not. It could all be part of the bigger picture. Nevertheless, we should be able to determine some form of impact: whether it be stable, decreasing or increasing.

Regardless of the technique we, the people, need to stay apprised of how much fish is being removed from the sea by commercial methods. (Not an NMFS report submitted 18 months from now. Show us the raw data too.) Historically we have the data that indicates that recreational pressure is nearly negligible by comparison. ie. < 2%

Even with an increasing trend in recreational pressure I would find it very difficult to notice a quantum leap from the historic proportions. Unless of course, recreational anglers were so motivated to catch more fish. Say for, example if you were allowed to sell them.

I know I would be motivated to stay the extra hours to catch an additional fish to cover fuel expenses, etc. So if we are motivated to conserve our local fishery, I would not recommend that proposal. If we must meet the almighty quota at the possibility of substantially impacting our recovery, that is another matter.

I prefer to keep on fishing, year in and year out, with an easy does it approach. As the highest priority, we must keep a very watchful eye on the impact of a proliferation of commercial buoy fishing in the FEC. Showing tonnage along with trip tickets may be an effective way to do so.

I have spoken with Capt. Ollie before and I believe him when he says that you have to operate your commercial buoy operation very economically, or else you won't survive. And that is figured by your revenues minus your expenses. So you need the expense values if you are to have an educated opinion on whether you are making money or not. I also have believed him when there have been times that he could only get $2.xx for small plugs of swordfish, which affects the revenue bucket. But you simply cannot use that multiplier x the total commercial swordfish harvest, nor $5.xx, unless you can support that number.

There can be some good discussion here with good data on the table. But it will all go down a rat hole if we do not.

[pushbutton2]

If you are comparing bouy to rec.... these numbers are and always will be worthless. I wouldn't say half the rec fish are reported... more like 5% on a busy day.

[LIGHTINING STRYKER]

LOL makes for good reading. why don"t we get the recs to fill out trip tickets an let them sell there fish an abandon the restrictions in place.Then we could just all be called comm.

[Broadbill-Pro]

[RiskTaker]

Here is a Screen shot of Swordfish landings update May 31 2007.

This image came from the original file: SWO Landings Update Chart May 31 2007.pdf I am not sure where on the nmfs website it came from. Quack quack provided me the .pdf file. But it shows the same numbers Ron originally posted, plus more in good structure.



For more information:

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/swo...031%202007.pdf

Office of Sustainable Fisheries - Highly Migratory Species

Note: I have heard people mention before that the recreational harvest is accounted for in the incidental bucket for NMFS accounting purposes; however, I see no entries in any of the incidental cells. Please advise if I have made any material mistatement.

Certainly, from the data presented in this format we have a much better handle on how much fish is being caught, generally where and by what means, (US. Atlantic). If you scrutinize the cells carefully, you should suspect that the table is still not up to date. It would certainly be very nice if we could find updated cells on a monthly basis. IMO

It is interesting to note that virtually all fishing above N35 latitude is done by Longline fishing methods and there is 0 buoy fishing done there, except for 350 lbs. reported one month and one entry for harpoon. I guess PLL is second to none there.

Below 35N latitude, the fishing methods are much more diversified. I wonder why the Buoy Gear cells are empty for jun/jul/aug/sept. /2006? Could they have been accounted for in the Hand line cells?

If I had to take a SWAG, I would guestimate that the recreational harvest is about equal to the Buoy Gear numbers that are posted from Oct, 2006 to May 2007, with Jan. 2007 being the exception (16,000 lbs. swordfish reported). If the numbers were actually posted side by side, we wouldn't have to make any "Scientific wild ass guesses".

[Flatsfish B]

"Dressed weight" being the key word. It seems clear to me that rec caught fish are not on there...

[lcosta02]

Sorry for my ignorance, but what are the "bouys"?

[Capt'n Shane]

They are just big floating bobbers that your lines are hanging off of.

[lcosta02]

Seems obvious. I thought it might have been some bouy out in the middle on nowhere that some people fish off or close to.

Thanks Capt.

[RiskTaker]

Lcosta02:

The buoy gear that has its own reporting column for NMFS is another method of commercial fishing. The description is oversimplified as a big bobber.

Because of the restrictions (prohibition) to commercial fish with Long line gear in the NMFS closed zones, buoy gear is an alternative method to fish commercially with unattached gear in theses zones or elsewhere.

Commercial fishermen with the appropriate licenses, can fish buoy gear, up to 35 buoys used, with up to 2 separate hook lines attached. These buoys are free floating from the vessel. Some guys will double up on the buoys to create and indicator status of "fish on", thus they can run 18 sets or less. These setups must also be retrieve by hand methods, no winches.

This method is deemed more effective for reduced by-catch than PLL when they are attended frequently. The other aspects can be debated both ways as per efficiency, overall effectiveness, cost per hook, profitibility, etc. (Well maybe not profitibility.)

Balloons, jugs or even buoys are big floating bobbers that your lines hang off of from a recreational vantage point, but they must be attached to your boat and not free floating.