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
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
Help Reduce Atlantic Shark Depredation
The NMFS has achieved predator-rich relationships with sharks and other species beyond what some scientists describe as “equilibrium.” The result is heavy shark predation of other fish stocks important to others, including billfish and many other species important to recreational fishing. Also out of equilibrium is the government’s failure to factor in the human interests of fisheries and economics. TBF has previously posted on this and included a pre-drafted and editable template to your members on Capitol Hill, all you need to do is to enter your state and name and the letter can be immediately sent. Unless
Recent Atlantic Shark Management News – Amendment 14
Capitol Hill must act as Atlantic sharks are everywhere taking angler-hooked fish, not occasionally, but all the time. The NMFS has no plans to check the occurrence other than to provide information material to the recreational fishery on “how to avoid sharks while fishing.” That should be very interesting. And they will host workshops to help captains and anglers to learn how to identify the offending sharks. Identity isn’t crucial, it is stopping the practice by reinvigorating the shark fishery and markets. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel met on Feb. 11, 2022
TBF’s Atlantic Shark Depredation Campaign
No balance currently exists between the hugely successful Atlantic shark conservation and management of Atlantic shark fisheries – people fishing, jobs, food markets, experiences, and economics. Balance is needed. Shark depredation of angler-hooked fish from all platforms is occurring at unseen rates. Sharks damage gear, ruins fishing experiences, and causes negative economic impacts to the fishery and associated services. It is no longer safe to swim between boats, as sometimes needed for a crew member to help with a companion vessel’s problem. Shark depredation will lessen only when fewer sharks remain in the water, which can be achieved
TBF’s Atlantic Shark Fishery Comments
The Billfish Foundation submitted comments to National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) today on the Draft Review of Atlantic Shark Fishery Review (SHARE) urging the revitalization of the Atlantic shark fishery and market. This 217-page reference document recounts past and present management actions responsible for the status of today’s U.S. Atlantic shark fishery. This document may be used to develop future conservation and management measures for commercial and recreational shark fisheries for the 43 currently managed and after review, we feel that without significant changes to the document we at are not supportive of it for future management actions
