NOAA Fisheries recently released its 2013 HMS Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report. The report includes a review of the current status of Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) stocks (tunas, swordfish, billfish, and sharks), describes the year's accomplishments in managing Atlantic HMS fisheries, and provides an assessment of short-term future management of Atlantic HMS fisheries.
The annual SAFE Report is required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
The 2013 HMS SAFE Report is available on the HMS Management Division website at:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/hmsdocument_files/SAFEreports.htm.
source: NOAA Fisheries
Showing posts with label swordfish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label swordfish. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Thursday, December 26, 2013
HMS Compliance Guides
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has released updated versions of Commercial and Recreational Compliance Guides for Atlantic tunas, swordfish, billfish, and sharks.
Thee guides have been updated based on recent regulatory changes made via Final Amendment 8 to the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan on Commercial Swordfish Management Measures and a final rule modifying Vessel Monitoring System requirements.
NMFS Commercial and Recreational Compliance Guides are intended to provide a plain-language summary of how to comply with the HMS regulations and can be found at:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/Compliance_Guide/index.htm
source: NOAA Fisheries
Thee guides have been updated based on recent regulatory changes made via Final Amendment 8 to the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan on Commercial Swordfish Management Measures and a final rule modifying Vessel Monitoring System requirements.
NMFS Commercial and Recreational Compliance Guides are intended to provide a plain-language summary of how to comply with the HMS regulations and can be found at:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/Compliance_Guide/index.htm
source: NOAA Fisheries
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
ICCAT North Atlantic Swordfish Assessment
A new stock assessment conducted in September 2013 by the scientific committee of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) concluded that the stock of North Atlantic swordfish remains rebuilt at a sustainable population level.
The assessment predicts that current levels of catch are likely to maintain the North Atlantic swordfish in a rebuilt condition into the future.
After decades of poor catches, U.S. landings of North Atlantic swordfish have improved greatly in recent years.
NOAA Fisheries lists the current status of North Atlantic swordfish in the United States as having a sustainable fishing rate, not overfished, and is above its target population level.
source: NOAA Fisheries
The assessment predicts that current levels of catch are likely to maintain the North Atlantic swordfish in a rebuilt condition into the future.
After decades of poor catches, U.S. landings of North Atlantic swordfish have improved greatly in recent years.
NOAA Fisheries lists the current status of North Atlantic swordfish in the United States as having a sustainable fishing rate, not overfished, and is above its target population level.
source: NOAA Fisheries
Friday, October 4, 2013
Delaware State Record Swordfish
In Delaware, a 358-pound swordfish caught on Sept. 7 set a new state record for the species. The record-setting swordfish measured 90 inches long, with a girth of 47.5 inches.
Following a nearly three-hour battle, recreational angler Kurt Lorenz of Burke, Va., landed the fish on 80-pound test line in the area of Poor Man’s Canyon about 70 miles east of the Maryland-Virginia coast. The catch is recognized as a Delaware record since the fish was caught from a vessel out of and returning to a Delaware port.
The record catch was initially confirmed by Fish and Wildlife Enforcement agent Agent First Class Shea Lindale, who responded to a report of a potential state record at Lewes Harbour Marina. Certified scales at Lewes Harbour Marina were used to weigh the swordfish the next morning.
The fish was processed at the Lewes Harbour cleaning station by Capt. Joe Morris. Morris noted it was a prized “pumpkin swordfish,” distinguished by its pinkish orange flesh, believed to be the result of naturally occurring carotenes from its diet of shrimp and other prawns.
Lorenz’s record-sized catch tops the previous record, a 276-pound, 12-ounce swordfish caught by angler Albert Scott in 1978. The new record holder will be entered in the books for the 2013 Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament.
For more information on the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament, please consult the 2013 Delaware Fishing Guide available at local tackle shops or online at www.fw.delaware.gov/fisheries
source: DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife
Following a nearly three-hour battle, recreational angler Kurt Lorenz of Burke, Va., landed the fish on 80-pound test line in the area of Poor Man’s Canyon about 70 miles east of the Maryland-Virginia coast. The catch is recognized as a Delaware record since the fish was caught from a vessel out of and returning to a Delaware port.
The record catch was initially confirmed by Fish and Wildlife Enforcement agent Agent First Class Shea Lindale, who responded to a report of a potential state record at Lewes Harbour Marina. Certified scales at Lewes Harbour Marina were used to weigh the swordfish the next morning.
The fish was processed at the Lewes Harbour cleaning station by Capt. Joe Morris. Morris noted it was a prized “pumpkin swordfish,” distinguished by its pinkish orange flesh, believed to be the result of naturally occurring carotenes from its diet of shrimp and other prawns.
Lorenz’s record-sized catch tops the previous record, a 276-pound, 12-ounce swordfish caught by angler Albert Scott in 1978. The new record holder will be entered in the books for the 2013 Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament.
For more information on the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament, please consult the 2013 Delaware Fishing Guide available at local tackle shops or online at www.fw.delaware.gov/fisheries
source: DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife
Saturday, January 29, 2011
NOAA Catch and Release Guidelines for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species
NOAA Fisheries Service has developed a brochure that offers guidelines on how to increase the survival of hook-and-line caught, large pelagic species.
The objectives of careful catch and release include reducing stress and minimizing injury to a fish caught on hook-and-line, and assisting in its recovery prior to release. These objectives are especially challenging for large highly migratory species such as tuna, swordfish, and sharks, because of the size and potentially dangerous features (e.g., teeth and swords) of these species.
The brochure provides guidelines for careful catch and release in four topic areas: planning ahead, gear, play and handling, and release and revival.
The information in this brochure will assist anglers in following NOAA Fisheries regulations, which require that any Atlantic highly migratory species that is caught and released, be released in a manner that maximizes its probability of survival. The survival of a released fish today will help lead to healthy stocks for future harvest.
To obtain the document, visit http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/ and click on the brochure to download it, or call 301-713-2347.
The objectives of careful catch and release include reducing stress and minimizing injury to a fish caught on hook-and-line, and assisting in its recovery prior to release. These objectives are especially challenging for large highly migratory species such as tuna, swordfish, and sharks, because of the size and potentially dangerous features (e.g., teeth and swords) of these species.
The brochure provides guidelines for careful catch and release in four topic areas: planning ahead, gear, play and handling, and release and revival.
The information in this brochure will assist anglers in following NOAA Fisheries regulations, which require that any Atlantic highly migratory species that is caught and released, be released in a manner that maximizes its probability of survival. The survival of a released fish today will help lead to healthy stocks for future harvest.
To obtain the document, visit http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/ and click on the brochure to download it, or call 301-713-2347.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
NOAA Reminder: Register Atlantic HMS Tournaments
NOAA Fisheries Service is again reminding tournament operators to register their Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) tournaments for 2011. This includes tournaments occurring on the U.S. East Coast, in the Gulf of Mexico, and in the U.S. Caribbean.
According to NOAA. registering HMS tournaments help with the collection of important recreational catch and effort information which is used to analyze the impacts of potential fishery management actions, assess the status of Atlantic HMS, and to assist the United States in complying with international fishery management obligations.
Federal regulations require that all tournaments awarding points or prizes for Atlantic HMS, including tunas, sharks, swordfish, and/or billfish, register with NOAA Fisheries Service at least four weeks prior to the start of the fishing tournament.
For more information or to register tournaments, see:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/newslist/2010/12-09-10_2011_HMS_Tournament_Registration_Reminder.pdf
source: NOAA Fish News
According to NOAA. registering HMS tournaments help with the collection of important recreational catch and effort information which is used to analyze the impacts of potential fishery management actions, assess the status of Atlantic HMS, and to assist the United States in complying with international fishery management obligations.
Federal regulations require that all tournaments awarding points or prizes for Atlantic HMS, including tunas, sharks, swordfish, and/or billfish, register with NOAA Fisheries Service at least four weeks prior to the start of the fishing tournament.
For more information or to register tournaments, see:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/newslist/2010/12-09-10_2011_HMS_Tournament_Registration_Reminder.pdf
source: NOAA Fish News
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel Meeting
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) intends to hold a meeting of the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (AP) on May 11-13, 2010, in Silver Spring, Maryland.
The intent of this meeting is to consider alternatives for the conservation and management of Atlantic tunas, swordfish, billfish, and sharks.
For more information, visit to the HMS Division website at:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/Advisory%20Panels/Advisory_Panel.htm
The intent of this meeting is to consider alternatives for the conservation and management of Atlantic tunas, swordfish, billfish, and sharks.
For more information, visit to the HMS Division website at:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/Advisory%20Panels/Advisory_Panel.htm
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