Mahi Mahi Summer July 2022 Update
Following the implementation of Amendment 10 to the Atlantic Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Management Plan in May 2022, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) issued Regulatory Amendment 3 to the same Plan. Amendment 3, offered precautionary options following a strong and continuous outcry from the recreational fishing industry that Mahi abundance was continuing to decline. The two options were to expand the 18” minimum size limit beyond South Carolina north through Maine and to implement more restrictive bag and vessel limits through that same range. Instead of advancing the precautionary options, the Council decided, that due to staff
Hudson Canyon Proposed for a National Marine Sanctuary Designation
Continued authorization of recreational fishing within the new Sanctuary is essential to the industry and continued great fishing opportunities for citizens throughout the U.S. The designation comes as part of the Administration’s commitment to curb the negative impacts of climate change to the ocean (30 x 30 campaign). The Canyon begins approximately 100 miles off the shores of New York and New Jersey, with a portion overlapping the recently leased wind energy sites in the New York Bite region, continues seaward 350 miles, is 7.5 miles wide, and 2 – 2.5 miles deep and comprises the largest submarine canyon
Atlantic Shark Tournament Generates Heat
East Coast anglers frustrated by the federal government’s failure to take any meaningful action to reduce Atlantic shark depredations on angler-hooked fish have scheduled a shark tournament for July 9. The event will demonstrate to the federal bureaucrats, via one snapshot, the array of shark species and excessive numbers remaining in the water due to a lack of management and current science. Sharks are decimating recreational fishing opportunities, and business income along the entire East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico, and in the Caribbean killing billfish, tuna, swordfish, other import gamefish, marine mammals, and sea turtles. We hope the
Sales of Offshore Commercial Wind Energy Leases off all U.S. coasts
Sales of Offshore Commercial Wind Energy Leases off all U.S. coasts were first offered by BOEM (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Department of the Interior) off the East Coast in February 2022, which resulted in the sale of 6 leases in the New York Bite region for $4.37 billion. In May a lease sale notice was issued for federal waters off California in what is identified as the Humboldt Wind Energy Area (WEA) and the Morro Bay WEA. According to BOEM, the leases are projected to generate 4.5 gigawatts of wind energy, enough estimated to power 1.5 million
Fight Against Illegal Fishing by Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA)
Countries are robbed of an estimated $26-50 billion annually due to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). IUU fishing is defined as any fishing operations outside of current regulations and quotas. It is responsible for disrupting fish stocks, reducing biodiversity, and limiting resources for coastal communities. Billfish are just one of many bycatch species that are directly affected by this type of illegal practice. Our angling community, specifically those within the United States and surrounding countries that value a regulated and transparent fishery are directly impacted from IUU. In general, IUU has a destructive impact on the marine
Effects of Circle Hooks on Sharks and Rays – IATTC Review
In March of this year, the 1st Circle Hook Workshop of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) commenced. The goal was to analyze “scientific information regarding different circle hooks sizes and their effectiveness at mitigating bycatch and target species with the specific goal of defining the characteristics of an adequate hook for the purpose of mitigating bycatch of sea turtles in accordance with Resolution C-19-04.” In other words, which hook type and size is the most effective at reducing the catch of unwanted species for pelagic longline. Various experts were invited to present their findings on the impacts
Domestic Updates – June 2022
Closed Zones Currently in Government Crosshairs The 20-year plus Closed Zones off the East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico that greatly improved recreational fishing in the regions, now face immediate NMFS threats as the agency, once again, ponders authorizing “pelagic longline research”. The research will collect data based on commercially hooked, landed and sold fish to assess the 20 years of accrued conservation benefits. TBF believes that authorizing pelagic longline gear to wipe out the conservation gains for billfish, sea turtles, marine mammals and a plethora of additional marine species in these areas is a poor management
Laughable Government Options for Shark Depredation
The current National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) attempts to address the Atlantic shark depredation problem offers no realistic solution for reducing occurrences. The agency offered suggestions to mitigate the problem by lowering engine noise, changing baits, or moving the boat to another location when sharks are spotted, all of which are typically seen as useless by any seasoned captain or angler. NMFS did issue a grant to two universities to study this dire problem, focusing on Florida. The grant looks to quantify the number of depredation events and identify the shark species involved. The goal will be to produce
NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Input on Gulf of Mexico Aquaculture Environmental Impact
To identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOA), NOAA uses science-based guidance, economic assessments, and social support. Key Message: Why Is This Happening? On May 7, 2020, the White House issued an Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth (E.O. 13921), which requires the Secretary of Commerce to identify suitable areas for commercial aquaculture and assess the impacts. Essentially, the proposed action is needed to address the increasing demand for seafood, assist with long-term planning for marine aquaculture development, and address interests and concerns regarding offshore marine aquaculture siting. NOAA Fisheries selected the federal waters in the
Colombia and Panama Updates – June 2022
Sportfishing Banned in Colombia – Beginning in 2023 The Supreme Court of Colombia recently ruled that sportfishing, even catch and release, amounts to torture, thus prohibiting the sport in marine and fresh waters. The court decision proclaimed the practice “violates the principles of environmental protection and animal welfare” and “demonstrates the risk of damage to the environment.” The prohibition is to be phased in over the next year. We at TBF are extremely disappointed the issue did not meet a formidable challenge before reaching the highest court in the nation. Their burgeoning sportfishing industry will surely suffer. To prevent
