CCA Takes a Stand to Protect Threatened Billfish

Houston - A recent longline management regulation issued by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) threatens to increase already excessive billfish, shark and turtle bycatch from Gulf and Atlantic longlines. With limited time and area closures and no vessel buyout, NMFS' new regulation offers no reduction in longlining effort and threatens to increase wasteful bycatch in U.S. waters, according to the Coastal Conservation Association.

In response to this threat, CCA has filed suit in federal district court to force NMFS to comply with congressionally mandated bycatch reduction requirements and protect against harmful overfishing.

"The NMFS' plan is a horrible disappointment," said Fred Miller, Chairman of CCA's Government Relations Committee. "This proposal addresses juvenile swordfish bycatch, but it does so at the cost of stressed blue and white marlin stocks, pelagic sharks, sea turtles, marine mammals, and the interests of recreational anglers. The only way we will ever see significant longline bycatch reduction is through meaningful legislation."

CCA-backed S 1911 offers a viable legislative solution to virtually all Gulf and Atlantic longline management problems. It will close nearly 160,000 square nautical miles of U.S. ocean in the south Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico to longlining. By creating an extensive longliner buyout program, this measure insures a significant reduction in billfish and juvenile swordfish bycatch and a reduction in the longlining fleet. Unlike the federal regulation, S 1911 addresses longline vessel displacement in the mid-Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico and will reduce longlining effort.

"NMFS'; plan offers no longline vessel or permit buyout, ineffective time and area closures and will actually increase bycatch," said Will Ohmstede, Vice Chairman of CCA. "We have worked too long and hard to see the NMFS proposal be the conclusion. We will continue to fight to pass a bill for meaningful longline management and true conservation benefit." S 1911 is the result of an unprecedented coalition of recreational and commercial user groups including CCA, The Billfish Foundation, American Sportfishing Association, and the Blue Water Fisherman's Association.