MARLIN INTERNATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
Last Update: 3/14/2003
| N O A A |
| National Marine Fisheries....proposes to close some 196,370 mi. in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of
Mexico. Closure would be year round in the Atlantic and seasonal in the Gulf of Mexico.
A potential buyout of commercial vessels and permits is included in the proposal.
"Commercial and recreational fishermen and the conservation community all
support the goal to rebuild highly migratory species. In closing areas where bycatch
is highest the rebuilding effort is enhanced" said Penny Dalton, assistant
administrator for NOAA and director of NOAA fisheries. For more info: www.nmfs.gov/sfa/hmspg.htm |
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| National
Marine Fisheries Service Atlantic Billfish New Regulations! |
| Effective 2003.... Highly
Migratory Species permit required to fish for billfish.HMS Recreational Limits
The recreational daily swordfish retention limit is 1 fish per person, with a maximum of 3 fish per vessel. The minimum size for swordfish within the recreational fishery is 47 inches, lower jaw-fork length. You may not keep longbill spearfish. There are no retention limits for Atlantic sailfish, blue marlin and white marlin, but the NOAA Fisheries encourages recreational anglers to release all billfish alive. The minimum sizes for billfish are as follows: Blue Marlin: 99 inches lower jaw fork length; White Marlin: 66 inches lower jaw fork length; Sailfish: 63 inches lower jaw fork length; Spearfish: Retention prohibited. Lower jaw fork length is a straight line measurement from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the caudal fin. The recreational limit on sharks is 1 shark per vessel per trip with a minimum size of 54 inches fork length; plus on Atlantic sharpnose shark per person per trip(no minimum size); plus 1 bonnethead hark per person per trip (no minimum size). None of these fish may be sold, and all must be reported. Effective July 1, 1999......Tournament Registration A person responsible for maintaining records of participants and results used for awarding tournament points or prizes for Atlantic billfish, must register the tournament with NMFS at least four weeks prior to commencement. Call (727)-570-5447 to receive a registration form. NMFS will select some tournaments for reporting. If you are selected, NMFS will send you a reporting form that must be returned to NMFS within 7 days after tournament fishing has been completed. Release Methods...... Under new regulations, anglers are allowed to remove the hook from a billfish using a hook-removal device. However, fish below the minimum size can NOT be removed from the water, consistent with previous regulations. Catch and Release Fishery Management Program Established......NMFS has established a recreational catch-and-release fishery management program for Atlantic billfish in recognition of the unique characteristics of the billfish fishery, including the conservation ethics of recreational billfish anglers which provides multiple recreational opportunities without adversely impacting the stock. Therefore, all Atlantic billfish released alive by anglers are not considered as bycatch. To be implemented at a later date...... Permits and Logbooks for Charter/Headboats. Voluntary Observer Program for Charter/Headboats. FAQ - Who is responsible for registering
a tournament? How do I know if I need to register
my tournament with NMFS? How do I register my tournament? TOURNAMENT REPORTING...... How will I know if my tournament
has been selected? What information is needed to
fulfill the reporting requirements? Completed forms must be submitted to the NMFS address on the form, postmarked not later than the 7th day after the conclusion of the tournament and must have attached a copy of the tournament rules. Contact points for additional
information: Buck Sutter or Jenny Lee Marlin International Association obtained the above information from NOAA publications, This page will be updated upon receipt of addtional information. |
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