Hard Caps Accepted for Pacific Gillnet Fishery
On February 7th, the National Marine Fisheries Service published a final ruling on the implementation of hard caps for drift gillnet fisheries (DGN) in the Pacific. These fisheries target thresher sharks and swordfish but have high rates of bycatch of sea turtles, whales, and billfish. Hard caps are a bycatch upper limit (either mortality or injury) which, once met, the fishery is closed. The hard caps run on a rolling two-year schedule. This measure is an attempt to incentivize greater bycatch mitigation by drift gillnet fleets off the west coast of the U.S., which has historically seen high rates
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Retention Adjustment
NOAA has announced big changes in daily retention limits for bluefin tuna in the Atlantic Ocean. These changes increase retention for those operating with an HMS Angling permit or an HMS Charter/Headboat permit when fishing recreationally in the Atlantic. Anglers may still catch/tag and release bluefin tuna of all sizes. Please note that these changes do not apply to the Gulf of Mexico, in which targeted fishing for bluefin tuna is prohibited. The adjusted limits go into effect on May 2, 2020, and extend through December 31, 2020, unless modified by a later action. Angling category and HMS
New Federal Rule Changes
The National Marine Fisheries Service’s recently issued its final decision on Gear Restricted Areas (GRA) and Weak Hook use by pelagic longline vessels. These decisions ARE NOT related to the more serious pending rule on whether to open Closed Zones to pelagic longline fishing under the guise of research. The GRA decision abolished the area off Hatteras and converted those off New Jersey and in the Gulf of Mexico to pelagic longline Gear Monitoring Areas from which data is to be collected on bycatch of bluefin tunas. The 12-month requirement for pelagic longline vessels fishing in the
A Note Regarding COVID-19
During the present COVID-19 pandemic, The Billfish Foundation (TBF) staff and board members have great empathy for each individual and company who is suffering physically and economically. Each TBF staff member continues to work, but from individual employee’s homes to minimize health risks to all while keeping the mission moving forward. Office calls, email, and social media postings are checked regularly. We fear that not a single member, donor, or corporation in our sportfishing conservation and boating community will be untouched, requiring flexibility and creativity to regain our footing. No doubt, once this crisis passes, our appreciation for what
Swordfish and Tunas Landings Update
NOAA Fisheries announced landings updates for Northern Atlantic swordfish and tunas, including bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, skipjack, and northern albacore. This update includes all landings of these species from January 1 to January 31, 2020. Commercial swordfish intentional landings are generally on par with this time last year. However, commercial bycatch and recreational intentional landing of swordfish are up. However, these numbers are still very low. Northern Atlantic swordfish have two separate quotas. The commercial intentional fishery is allowed 1,318.8 mt dw of swordfish per year. The recreational fishery shares it’s quota with commercial bycatch and is limited to only
Kicking Plastic and Billfish Education at Costa’s Conservation Village
For the second year in a row, Costa Sunglasses hosted their Conservation Village in the Miami International Boat Show to educate showgoers about ocean conservation and encourage them to help out in the fight to #KickPlastic! The Village began with ocean research and advocacy groups from all over Florida, which shared the important message of ocean stewardship. Adults and students alike flowed through the tent, learning how they can make simple changes in their lives to help safeguard the health of oceans, humans and animals that rely on them. Throughout the weekend, The Billfish Foundation educated hundreds of visitors
General Category Bluefin Fishery Temporary Closure
The General Category for Atlantic bluefin tuna will close beginning February 24th at 11:30pm and reopen on June 1st. This closure marks the fulfillment of the 100mt January subquota, which, despite it’s name, actually runs from January through March. This closure affects vessels with an Atlantic Tunas General category permit or an HMS Charter/Headboat permit with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for bluefin tuna. Additionally, this closure only applies to the retention, possession, and landing of medium, large, and giant bluefin tunas. To stay up-to-date on all things billfish and highly migratory species, become a member
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Closure
The Angling Category for trophy Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Southern Area (the area south of Great Egg Inlet, New Jersey, 39°18’N lat) has already reached its 1.8 mt subquota, effectively and immediately closing it for the remainder of 2020. This means that no vessels with recreational Atlantic HMS Angling or Charter/Headboat permits may retain, possess, or land Atlantic bluefin tuna greater than 73 inches until 2021. Anglers may still land, possess, and retain bluefin tuna that are at least 27 inches, but less than 73 inches, in this area. Catch and release, as well as tag and release
NMFS Removes Weak Hook Requirement
The 2011 required year-round use of weak hooks (15/0 carbon vs 16/0 steel for regularly used hook) by pelagic longline vessels fishing in the Gulf of Mexico was for 12 months, but it is now reduced to 6 months (Jan. – June). Longline hooked large bluefin tuna and blue marlin often broke off the weak hooks, reducing bycatch mortality, but a greater number of both white marlin and blue marlin were hooked. The weak hook research indicates that most marlin were released within 5 minutes. In 2011, 175 white marlin were reported hooked by pelagic longline gear rigged
NMFS Weakens Gear Restrictions in Atlantic Ocean
The Gear Restricted Area (GRA) off Cape Hatteras implemented to reduce bluefin tuna bycatch by pelagic longline vessels now is open to the gear. The waters had been closed December through April, but the NMFS decided it is no longer needed under the Individual Bluefin tuna Quota (IBQ) management system. Two Gulf of Mexico Gear Restricted Areas closed during April and May since 2015 and the Northeastern Closed Area off of New Jersey closed during June since 1999, are now pelagic longline Monitoring Areas, allowing longlining to resume. Fishing is to be monitored for three years based on vessel’s
