The NMFS just released the Final Amendment 15, which fails to protect depleted blue marlin. Otherwise, the text reflects the government’s lack of understanding of the very nomadic nature of blue marlin, treating them more of personal sailfish. Perhaps the word fails to adequately account for billfishing, implying that all billfishing occurs within 40 miles of shoreline.
What is clear, however, is the accommodations for the aquatic longline ship, especially regarding a reduction in the size of locations previously inaccessible to longliners. There is a 68 % decrease in inaccessible waters off the Charleston Bump for oceanic longlining in comparison to the proposed styles in 2023. For restricted waters off the East Florida Coast, there is a 41 % decline. The number of registered aquatic longline set has increased significantly, from 69 to 380 pieces and from 124 to 250 off the East Florida Coast, making this increase coincide with a dramatic increase in the number of these sets. Even with the increase in the number of pins, regulatory measures have been reduced by half, which is even more surprising. Since these regulations were put into place 24 years ago, the opening of these zones may have negative effects on nearby towns, native towns, and industries that have unquestionably experienced significant economic growth.
If that is n’t enough of a threat, a proposal to list Oceanic White Tip Sharks under the Endangered Species Act ( ESA ) has the potential to add even more restraints to our community.
These actions are clearly contrary to orange marlin conservation, accountable management, and billfishing in common! Action must be taken!
