NO. 153 2017

INSIDE THIS ISSUE ƒƒ OCEAN VIEW: AT THE CROSSROADS 2

ƒƒ A BLUEPRINT FOR A VALUES-BASED Wild 3 ƒƒ MACKEREL MATTERS 4

ƒƒ STAFF TRAVEL LOG 7

ƒƒ CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS BLUEFIN AND ITS MACKEREL PREY 7

ƒƒ NOAA LAUNCHES GULF The Horizon RESTORATION PROJECT 10

Changes Our Mission by Ken Hinman Things do not change. We change. Wild Oceans was founded by Henry David Thoreau anglers in 1973. Like the sportsmen before us who pioneered wildlife The intertwined worlds of , conservation on land, we are passionate protectors of and billfishing and billfish conservation the wild world we share. have changed monumentally within my lifetime – quite literally. Our mission is to keep the oceans wild to preserve opportuni- Photo courtesy of Bill Boyce I was born in 1952, the year Heming- ties for the future. To do this, we way’s Old Man and the Sea was pub- bring conservation-minded fisher- lished. For me, as for many Ameri- By the time McClane published his indis- pensable Field Guide to Saltwater men and pro-fishing environmen- cans, this classic tale of an epic battle talists together to promote a between an old Cuban fisherman and a of North America in 1965, the definition was firmly established as we know it to- broad, ecosystems approach to great blue was my first introduc- management that re- tion to billfish. day. The Billfish family (Istiophoridae) comprises the , sailfishes and flects our expanding circle of con- Back when I was a kid, few people knew spearfishes. Swordfish are a taxonomic cern for all marine life and the fu- what a “billfish” was, apparently even family unto themselves (Xiphiidae) but ture of fishing. experienced fishermen. Consider that are often included in billfish gatherings So much of what we love about the 1952 also saw publication of The Wise because of their shared attributes. They sea, about fish, about fishing, is in Fisherman’s Encyclopedia, edited by A.J. are all large-bodied marine creatures the wildness. But that wild world, McClane, renowned angler, writer and with a distinctive sword-like snout, and the future of fishing, now future IGFA Fishing Hall of Famer. You’ll swim very fast and very, very far, and sit hangs in the balance. Everything be surprised at his definition ofBillfish : atop the ocean food chain. we do, every decision we make, (1) Small, non- species such as The sixties, a decade of revolution, saw must be guided by a clear vision of the needlefish, or salt water gar. big changes in more than taxonomy, the future we want for our oceans and of how the fishing public and (2) The name billfish is often erroneously changes that would determine the course of billfish conservation for de- responsible consumers will fit into applied to the marlin, sailfish and broad- that future. bill swordfish. These are more properly cades to follow. On the sport side, there classed as Spearfish. was the birth of a burgeoning conserva- tion movement. (Continued on page 8)

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At the crossroads On the long road to change, we encoun- a practicable approach to setting popu- The strongest argument against delay is ter twists and turns, roadblocks and de- lation targets and catch limits for forage the prospect of the fishery being -man tours. Right now, on the way to changing species like . It’s a common aged another 5 years or more using the the way we allocate Atlantic menhaden sense ‘rule of thumb’ based on the eco- current, single-species reference points, among fishermen and other predators in logical importance of prey fish and the which would allow for a more than 40% the ocean (e.g., ), we are at impacts of fishing on predator-prey re- increase over current catch levels, result- a crossroads. lationships - a science-based approach ing in a loss of the growth in the menha- that accommodates the needs (if not den stock we’ve seen in recent years. For well over a decade, the ASMFC’s the wants) of the fishing and Menhaden Management Board has been With interim ERPs, we’ll keep reason- is ready to be implemented right away. stalled at the intersection of “the most able limits on the fishery, leaving millions It’s an approach we described in our 2015 important fish in the sea” and the largest more menhaden in the water for preda- report, Resource Sharing: The Berkeley commercial fishery on the east coast, un- tors while allowing fishing at sustainable Criterion: fishing limits designed to main- sure of where to go or how to get there. levels. tain the menhaden population at 75% of But finally we’re moving. The vehicle its un-fished level, considerably higher This is the choice being put to the public for change is Draft Amendment 3 to the than the conventional MSY level (~40%). in Amendment 3. Where will the Menha- Interstate Menhaden Plan - which offers den Board decide to go when it finalizes If adopted, these reference points would the public a choice between a fast lane the amendment at a special meeting on stay in place while a team of ASMFC sci- to “ecological reference points” (ERPs) November 14th? Straight to ERPs in 2018 entists develops multi-species models and a slower, uncharted route – and it or take a turn that won’t get us where we and evaluates their ability to suggest goes out for comment and hearings up want to be for at least another 5 years? ERPs more specific to menhaden. This and down the coast this fall. So it’s time work will be completed by the next stock We’re at a crossroads. This is the chance for the many thousands of fishermen assessment in 2019, after which the re- we’ve been waiting for, working for, all and environmentalists, who’ve been sults will be peer reviewed and then test- these years. Hearings will start in Sep- leaning on the horn for so many years, to ed through what’s called a Management tember, so check the Wild Oceans web get out and give the ASMFC a push. Strategy Evaluation. If adopted by the site regularly for news and blogs on During the years of gridlock, a consensus ASMFC, they likely would not be imple- Menhaden Amendment 3, sign up for ac- emerged among dozens of independent mented before 2022. tion alerts, and make your voice heard. fishery scientists around a path forward, – Ken Hinman, President

For the Future of Fishing Wild Oceans is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to keeping the oceans wild to preserve fishing opportunities for the future. Our Goals: Officers and Staff: Board of Directors: ●● preventing and restoring Tim Choate, Chairman Mary Barley (Islamorada, FL) depleted fish populations to healthy Rick Weber, Vice Chairman Bill Boyce (Saugus, CA) levels Ken Hinman, President C. J. Bright, Jr. (Kailua-Kona, HI) ●● promoting sustainable use policies that balance commercial, Pam Lyons Gromen, Executive Director Stephanie Osgood Choate (Miami, FL) recreational and ecological values Theresa Labriola, Pacific Programs Tim Choate (Coral Gables, FL) ●● modifying or eliminating wasteful Director Tim Ervin (Onekama, MI) fishing practices Laureen Megan, Office Manager Rick Weber (Cape May, NJ) ●● improving our understanding of Directors Emeritus fish and their role in the marine Contact Us: environment Wild Oceans Stanley Arkin (New York, NY) P.O. Box 258 ●● preserving fish habitat and water Waterford, VA 20197 John Heyer (Sedona, AZ) quality office: 703.777.0037 web: wildoceans.org 2 GROWING COALITION OF ANGLERS SEEKS TO CHANGE THE STATUS QUO A blueprint for a values-based swordfish fishery by Theresa Labriola, “greener” gear. Pacific Programs Director If managers set performance cri- It’s no secret that the California drift teria based on gillnet fleet holds the title as the west values such as coast’s highest bycatch fishery. More minimizing - than 60 percent of the haul is regu- fish bycatch and larly dumped overboard. It’s also the marine mammal only Category 1 fishery in the California interactions or Current, meaning the nets frequently economic stabil- cause death or serious injury to ma- ity, then they can rine mammals. This unsustainable and objectively make wasteful gear contradicts Wild Oceans decisions about mission to preserve the future of fish- whether and ing. A recent poll confirmed that Cali- how to autho- At the June Pacific Council meeting in Spokane, Theresa Labriola and Bob Kurz spoke in fornians’ agree and overwhelmingly support of authorizing deep set buoy gear on behalf of Wild Oceans, IGFA, The American rize a swordfish Sportfishing Association, and Coastal Conservation Association. support moving forward with a ban gear to achieve on the use of drift gillnets. But NOAA these goals. For submitted applications to test deep- Fisheries is moving in reverse by refus- example, Wild Oceans supports devel- set buoy gear off California. ing to implement a hard cap or limit opment of commercial swordfish gear Performance criteria can also help on the number of marine mammals that minimizes bycatch and bycatch avoid replacing one problem gear and the fishery can injure or kill. mortality, including non-target fish, with another. For example, US long- Wild Oceans is advocating for a transi- and requires fewer management and line boats operating in the eastern Pa- tion to a fishery that reflects the values regulatory costs. Others may value the cific discard nearly 50 percent of their of Californian’s and supports healthy gear based solely on its economic per- catch. Because of the history of high oceans for future generations. formance and others on the avoidance bycatch, waste and regulatory costs For more than forty years, we’ve of marine mammals or endangered associated with conventional longlin- brought together conservation mind- species. Without establishing criteria ing, we believe maintaining the pro- ed recreational fishermen and ocean to act as goalposts, managers will con- hibition on longlines within the west advocates to solve some of the most tinue to struggle to constrict and con- coast EEZ by indefinite moratorium, pressing problems facing our oceans. strain whether and how fishermen de- with the potential for re-evaluation af- Removing drift gillnets from the ocean ploy drift gillnets to reach undefined ter completion of a bona fide bycatch is no exception. Wild Oceans is work- goals. minimization research program, is ab- ing with a growing coalition to change Once we set performance criteria, we solutely necessary to maximize pro- the status quo. As Bill Shedd, chairman can begin to adopt fishing methods tection for fish and other wildlife. of Coastal Conservation Association of that meet the qualifications and phase The blueprint for a values-based California (CCA CAL) expressed: “My out or keep out gear that doesn’t. In swordfish fishery starts with Wild sense is that this partnership between the Pacific, researchers and fisher- Oceans working with other ocean ad- Wild Oceans, American Sportfishing men have spent six years developing vocates to pursue performance cri- Association, International Game Fish and testing deep-set buoy gear, a high teria for a swordfish fishery and then Association and CCA CAL is playing yield, low bycatch daytime gear that transitioning to gears that meet these an important role that will ultimately targets swordfish at depth. About 98 goals. With this comes the opportu- eliminate drift gill nets off California percent of the catch is marketable nity to sunset drift gillnets, a wasteful and not allow longlines to replace swordfish, opah and thresher , a gear that does not achieve our values them.” staggeringly different result than oth- of low bycatch, low bycatch mortality, New standards for gear performance er hook and line gear. More than 25 and low regulatory costs.  play a key role in the transition to seasoned and novice fishermen have 3 NEW PROTECTIONS FOR MID-ATLANTIC FORAGE BASE EXCLUDE PREY FOR HIGHLY MIGRATORY PREDATORS Mackerel matters by Pam Lyons Gromen actions to incorporate ecosystem con- are “dominant prey items.” Both the Wild Oceans Executive Director siderations, they must be granted flex- International Commission for the Con- ibility to achieve ecosystem-level goals servation of Atlantic (ICCAT) and th In a June 19 letter, the National Ma- and policies, such as those expressed the International Union for the Conser- rine Fisheries Service (NMFS) informed in the Mid-Atlantic Council’s Ecosys- vation of Nature (IUCN) concur that the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management tem Approach to Fisheries Management these small, schooling, open water Council that it had partially approved (EAFM) Guidance Document from which mackerels are critical forage for prized the Mid-Atlantic Unmanaged Forage the idea for the Unmanaged Forage big fish. Omnibus Amendment. The Omnibus Omnibus originated. Within the EAFM So where do we go from here to pro- Amendment, completed by the Council Guidance Document, the Mid-Atlantic tect the unmanaged prey base for big in August of last year, protects over 50 Council states, "It shall be the policy fish in the Mid-Atlantic? Atlantic bill- species of unmanaged from of the Council to support the mainte- fishes, tunas and are managed commercial exploitation. Two spe- nance of an adequate forage base in by NMFS under its Atlantic Highly Mi- cies, frigate mackerel and bullet mack- the Mid-Atlantic to ensure ecosystem gratory Species Management Division. erel (also called frigate tuna and bullet productivity, structure and function But NMFS contends its management tuna), did not make the final cut. and to support sustainable fishing authority is limited to tunas listed in "Bullet and frigate mackerel are impor- communities." the Magnuson-Stevens Act: , tant prey, particularly for large pelagic Those sustainable fishing communities bigeye, bluefin, skipjack and yellow- species such as tuna, billfish, and sharks, undoubtedly should include offshore fin. Ironically, the agency cannot act to but the information and analysis does anglers. According to a 2014 NOAA conserve prey species directly linked to not support them as important forage Technical Memorandum, “Atlantic predators in its own management plan, species for Council-managed species," HMS Angling Permit holders were es- yet the agency denies the Mid-Atlantic writes John Bullard, the NMFS Region- timated to have spent $23.2 million on Council the ability to fill this manage- al Administrator for the Greater Atlan- HMS trip expenditures (e.g., fuel, ice, ment gap through the Unmanaged tic. Despite arguments made by Wild bait, food), and $151 million on durable Forage Omnibus Amendment. Oceans and our recreational fishing goods (e.g., boats, vehicles, rods and NMFS does offer a path forward for the and environmental group allies, NMFS reels). These expenditures are estimat- Mid-Atlantic Council – the creation of a insists that the Mid-Atlantic Council's ed to have contributed $266 million in small tunas fishery management plan, action, though initiated to safeguard total economic output to the economy incorporating frigate and bullet mack- the ecosystem, must have a direct link of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic re- erel as well as other small members of to a Council-managed fishery. Species gions, $153 million in value added out- the tuna family like false albacore. A included in the omnibus, they say, must puts, $96 million in labor income, and number of recreational fishermen have be either taken as bycatch or eaten by 1,824 jobs from Maine to North Caro- urged the Council to address false alba- a Council-managed predator. lina.” core because of its role as prey and its "Advancing ecosystem-based ap- The importance of frigate and bullet vulnerability to exploitation. proaches to fisheries management mackerel as prey for large tunas and On July 10th, the Mid-Atlantic Council demands that we take a broad view of in Mid-Atlantic federal waters the ecosystem as a functioning whole responded to the letter from NMFS, is evidenced by 25 years of stomach requesting clarification on the roles and avoid a narrow linear focus," Wild content analyses conducted by Virginia Oceans asserted in response to the pro- of NMFS and the Council, should the Institute of Marine Science Fisheries Council seek to address frigate and bul- posed rule explaining NMFS' intent to Department Chair Dr. John Graves, exclude the mackerels. let mackerel in a separate action. The who examined specimens collected issue will be raised at the next Council As regional fishery management coun- during fishing tournaments and - con meeting, August 8-10 in Philadelphia.  cils strive to broaden management cluded that frigate and bullet mackerel 4 Wild The Ocean Gives Us Life. Help Us Return the Favor!

A vision for the future If we don’t change that future, we will Because we walk this thin blue line, be denying millions of Americans, we are able to bring conservation- Fishing is our oldest and most inti- of this generation and the next and minded fishermen and pro-fishing mate connection to the sea. We be- the next, the opportunity to fish, to environmentalists together in com- lieve that how we envision the future make a living, to eat fresh mon cause. Throughout our 45 of fishing may, more than anything, and enjoy the wild outdoors with our year history, we’ve been a catalyst, determine the future of the ocean, families. But even more important, identifying emerging opportunities to its variety and abundance of wildlife, a healthy ocean ecosystem is es- get ahead of the curve, bring groups and not least of all, its ability to sus- sential to the productivity, stability together to pool our strengths, and tain us. and resiliency of the planet, the only establish precedents and principles We reject the conventional notion home we have. that lead to long-lasting change - for that we can manipulate the sea to the fish, the wild world we are both a produce the species we want in the Is there an opportunity for part of, and the future of fishing. quantities we demand. Instead, Wild change? Oceans advocates for a more bal- No easy answers. Only anced, more natural and far wiser Absolutely, and the time is now. We persistent,dedicated approach to managing marine fish- believe the answer is to change how advocacy eries, grounded in policies that sus- we think, how we fish, and how we tain fishing in a way that protects work together to protect fish, fishing There are no silver bullets in ocean the broader ecosystem and its living and the wild ocean world we share. conservation. We’ve got to be there, communities. This is our vision. That means learning to fish as just in the trenches, working to influence one among many predators, as part decisions, which are usually the re- Are the oceans today in of the natural system. In a word it sult of research, , policy crisis? means learning to coexist with the change and a long series of meet- sea rather than simply exploit it. ings over years. It’s not glamorous Yes. But we prefer the Chinese word That is the message that guides our work, it takes tireless commitment, for crisis, which is composed of two mission, educating policymakers, and it goes largely unnoticed outside characters, one for danger and one fishermen and the public. Everything a small circle. But we can’t win with- for opportunity. There is danger if we do, every decision we make, is out it. Change does occur – our track we continue to… guided by a clear vision of the future record attests to that - but there’s no we want for our oceans and of how escaping that we have to work hard • …. surrender the oceans to in- the fishing public and responsible for it. To do this work, we need the dustrialized fishing, fleets using consumers will fit into that future. support of people who recognize the mammoth trawls and multi-mile need for an organization that is not longlines to maximize catches, Experienced, successful, distracted from its primary mission while killing non-target fish and unique – to conserve ocean fish and the fu- other wildlife indiscriminately. ture of fishing – by mixed priorities; • ….assess the health of fish pop- Wild Oceans is eminently qualified that chooses issues near and dear ulations according to mathemati- to lead this effort. We were there at to fishermen and fishing, then takes cal equations rather than sound the birth of ocean fish conservation positions based on what’s best for ecological principles. in the 1970s and we have evolved the resource; that is singularly situ- • ….sacrifice wild-caught fisheries along with it, playing a major role in ated to ally itself with both environ- that support local fishing commu- that evolution, an evolution we de- mentalists and fishermen along with nities in favor of seafood mass- scribe as an expanding circle of con- government agencies and business- produced on offshore “farms”. cern for all marine life – from charis- es to serve as the honest broker to matic mega-fauna to lowly prey fish. bring these groups together. • …. zone the sea for multiple, in- We occupy a unique niche in ocean compatible uses, relegating wild- To do this work, we need YOU! Join conservation; we approach issues ness to a handful of marine parks, or donate at WildOceans.org. And with the head of an environmen- as we’ve done on land. spread the word to others who care talist and the heart of a fisherman. about the future of fishing! Show off your support for the Future of Fishing with our new Wild Oceans apparel! Now available in our WildOceans.org Store! Men’s Superfine Women’s Vintage Crews Trucker Caps Jersey Crews

Our Wild Oceans women’s vintage Two different styles! Both caps Our Wild Oceans men’s jersey crew is made from silky soft rayon- feature our Wild Oceans swordfish crew is one of the best-fitting, spandex, then custom-dyed and patch and mesh backs. Velcro softest shirt you will ever wear. butter washed. It has a relaxed, closure. Perfectly fitting with a low- Superfine, combed ring-spun boxy fit and wide neckline, and is profile. Please see our web store 100% cotton, custom garment- accented with contrasting binding. for a closer look at the designs. dyed, and butter washed. Available in white with black Available in white or grey. contrast or grey with black contrast. Just $20 each! And 100% of the purchase price supports our conservation programs! CURRENTS Staff travel log The Atlantic Menhaden Manage- Wild Oceans Pacific Program Di- advance the Council’s progress to- ment Board met May 9th in Alexan- rector Theresa Labriola attended wards ecosystem-based fisheries man- dria, Virginia to review progress on the Pacific Fishery Management Coun- agement. Specifically, in September, Draft Amendment 3, which considers cil meeting in Spokane, Washington the Council will choose its next ecosys- changes to the current allocation from June 9-13. She provided joint tes- tem initiative, and we are supporting a scheme as well as the implementation timony with Bob Kurz, a Board Member climate shifts initiative to understand of ecosystem reference points. Ken of the International Game Fish Associa- predicted impacts on the ecosystem Hinman, a member of the board’s advi- tion and Coastal Conservation Associa- and explore tools and best practices sory panel, attended for Wild Oceans. tion of California, encouraging the that better prepare the Council to man- The menhaden board approved the Council to continue their work to au- age their fisheries in an increasingly document for public comment at its thorize deep-set buoy gear (see page variable environment. (see below) nd summer meeting on August 2 , also in 3). In response, the Council tasked its On July 19th and 20th Wild Oceans Alexandria. See the Ocean View, page advisors with preparing a range of al- Executive Director Pam Lyons 2. ternatives for the Council to review at Gromen participated in the Mid-Atlan- On May 13th, Wild Oceans President its September meeting. She also at- tic Healthy Ocean Ecosystem Indicators Ken Hinman participated in a Ser- tended ancillary meetings of the Highly Public Workshop in Baltimore, Mary- vice of Thanksgiving and Celebration Migratory Species Management Team land. Hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Re- for the Life of Christopher Minot Weld, and Advisory Subpanel. gional Council on the Ocean, the work- one of the organization’s founders Theresa travelled to Monterey, shop was a key step in implementing nearly 45 years ago, in Beverly Farms, California on July 11-2 for a meeting the Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action Massachusetts. During the service, with partner organizations. They dis- Plan, which recognizes the “need to Ken was invited to join members of cussed strategies for removing indis- better understand ecosystem changes Chris’ family in giving Remembrances criminate gear from as they occur, and how those changes that captured his many passions, his the Pacific and for keeping longlines impact and are impacted by human ac- unique personality, and his lust for life. out. They focused on opportunities to tivity.” 

Climate change affects bluefin tuna and its mackerel prey Warming waters are altering migration depend on it. For the western stock of coast is believed to have shifted north- patterns and spawning times of preda- bluefin, April and May could be largely east, particularly during the winter tors and their prey. Will changes in fish unsuitable for spawning in the Gulf of months when the U.S. fishery is at its distribution disrupt key predator-prey Mexico by the end of the 21st century. peak. U.S. catches relationships? Wild Oceans research In 2016, scientists reported a startling have steeply declined, a reflection of assistant Megan Carpenter, a recent discovery of bluefin tuna spawning in greatly reduced availability. So what graduate from the University of Virgin- the Slope Sea, an area offshore of the does this mean for mackerel predators ia, explored this question by synthesiz- Mid-Atlantic states. in our waters? ing climate change research on Atlantic Bluefin feeding patterns are also Shifting fish distribution patterns could bluefin tuna and one of its preferred changing. Three bluefin were caught have serious implications for the future prey, Atlantic mackerel. along the southeast coast of Greenland of fishing. While bluefin tuna, a highly typically migrate in 2012, the first time the species had migratory species, seems to have kept to tropical waters to mid-April been recorded in such a cold region. pace with Atlantic mackerel, other to June before the water reaches 86°F. The bluefin were found by fishermen mackerel predators, especially resident Bluefin require a certain temperature pursuing a favorite prey of bluefin tuna, species, may not fare as well. to initiate spawning, around 75°F. Be- Atlantic mackerel, which has expanded "It is necessary to keep pushing for re- cause of this narrow range, scientists its range into northern waters, driven search to understand the ecosystem as believe that ocean warming is highly by increasing ocean temperatures. a whole in a changing climate so that likely to impact bluefin spawning times In recent years, the western stock of we can best prepare ourselves for the and areas, ultimately affecting bluefin Atlantic mackerel on the eastern U.S. future," says Megan.  tuna population size and fisheries that

7 Changes, cont'd from page 1

On the commercial side, there was the in gear with a profound impact on the Marine Conservation) in 1978. These introduction of large-scale longlining survival of released fish – about 99%. opposing ways of thinking about and for tunas and swordfish. Two trains fishing for billfish were on a collision running on the same track, but going Playing Ocean Roulette course. Something had to give and, in opposite directions. happily, over the next several decades In the late 1950s and early ‘60s, in the it did. waters off Maritime Canada and New Catch, Then Release England, longlines were introduced Change for the Future Edward Hewitt long ago described the into the commercial swordfish fishery, “evolution of the master angler” thus: eventually replacing harpoons. Har- First, it’s important to understand why first, catch as many fish as possible; pooning was a clean fishery, producing conserving billfish is such an extraordi- then, catch the largest fish; and finally, thousands of tons of swordfish a year nary challenge. They are oceanic mi- catch the most difficult fish. A fourth in a sustainable manner. The Nova grants, spending much of their time stage has since been added – not to Scotia Harpoon Association described in the no-man’s-land of the high seas, “catch” the fish at all, but release it its way of fishing as “One man, one ar- ignoring political boundaries and de- alive. row, one fish….nothing wasted.” manding cooperation among nations with differing values and objectives; It was a pointed comparison to longlin- In his book The Albatross Fleet, my late the vast majority die as unintentional ing, an industrial-scale fishery with friend and Wild Oceans board member bycatch in commercial fisheries for sets upwards of 40 miles long with Jack Cleveland recalled how in 1958 other, more valuable species; with the thousands of hooks. Because of the he caught a blue marlin off Cape Hat- exception of swordfish, billfish are far non-selective nature of the gear, by teras he guessed weighed 300 to 400 more valuable, economically and so- the late 1980s it had opportunistically pounds and shocked everyone by let- cially, as a recreational resource, but taken full advantage of its capacity to ting it go. This unusual act of conser- there is a demand for marlin in global catch any large hungry fish swimming vation was the talk of the docks and markets, consuming fish that might by – in my 1998 report, Ocean Roulette, the subject of outdoor columns up otherwise be avoided or released. and down the coast. Kip Farrington, I likened longlining to an underwater noted big-game fishing pioneer, wrote minefield – and evolved into a mixed Over the years, we – and here I’m and told Jack it was the first release of species fishery; that is, indiscriminate- speaking of this organization and the a blue marlin he knew of.i Of course, ly hooking yellowfin and other tunas, many other individuals and organi- what was news 60 years ago is com- dolphin, marlin, sailfish and sharks, as zations that have united in common monplace now. It’s the fisherman that well as numerous threatened species, cause – have brought about signifi- brings a billfish to the dock who rais- including endangered turtles, marine cant changes to protect the future of es eyebrows and starts people talk- mammals and seabirds. billfish. ing. Today, over 90 percent of sport- Modern longlining, of course, was a The Future of Billfish Is Not For Sale. caught marlin and sailfish are released global phenomenon, with fleets across As longline fisheries expanded and alive. the Atlantic and Pacific soon depleting became more opportunistic, sales of stocks of swordfish, bluefin tuna, mar- Atlantic marlin in the U.S. increased. As anglers began releasing more and lin and oceanic sharks. Bycatch of mar- We responded with a 1990 prohibition more billfish, they wanted to make lin and shark were accepted as added on sale; a federal ban on selling striped sure the fish survived. Along came value, since there were ready markets marlin on the west coast followed. Ty- circle hooks, championed by people for the meat and , respectively. In ing up loose ends, the Billfish Conser- like our chairman Tim Choate, who at other words, incentives to fish cleanly vation Act halted all foreign imports of his Hall of Fame Induction ceremony didn’t exist….until much later. billfish. Today only traditional fisheries last fall called it the sportfishing com- in the western Pacific are permitted. munity’s greatest contribution to bill- So for years, fishery managers and fish conservation. It’s a simple change conservationists struggled, without Taking Stock. While international man- success, to find ways to control fishing agement bodies struggled with de- mortality for any single species, in par- clines in commercially-valuable tunas i Farrington joined the Hall of Fame in 1998, ticular swordfish whose numbers in and swordfish, they didn’t even assess the same year as the aforementioned A.J. Mc- the Atlantic went into a freefall. That’s the health of marlin and sailfish killed Clane. Perhaps Jack Cleveland, author, angler and conservationist, will one day be so hon- the world I entered when I joined Wild as bycatch in those same fisheries. ored. - KH Oceans (then the National Coalition for (Continued on next page) 8 "Sailfish" by jidanchaomian is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

We took the initiative with a series of coast closed areas fostered where and when they need it. We ob- international symposia to gather the among commercial fishermen, culti- tained international protections for science and lobbied for stock assess- vating the use of smaller-scale, active- sargassum as essential habitat on the ments, paving the way for ocean-wide ly-tended gears, namely buoy gear for high seas (Sargasso Sea) and made limits for Atlantic billfish; similar -con swordfish and greenstick gear for yel- preserving the ocean’s forage base servation measures are in the works lowfin tuna, with insignificant bycatch a national priority, resulting in many for the Pacific. and bycatch mortality. These changes prey species put off limits to harvest in the way we fish commercially for with more conservative rules for those Sanctuary. Beginning in the year 2000, big fish are being exported to the Gulf targeted by fisheries. (see,Ocean View we secured safe spaces for billfish of Mexico (see, NOAA Launches Gulf p. 2) and other vulnerable species (sharks, Restoration Project, p. 10), the west turtles), creating large no-longlining Clearly, during my lifetime there has coast (see, A Blueprint for a Values- zones in the southeast, in the Gulf of been so much change, for the bet- based Swordfish Fishery, p. 3) and to Mexico and off the west coast. As a ter, for billfish and other big fish, and the fleets of other nations fishing the result, the bycatch of billfish has been I’m proud to have played a part. But same highly migratory stocks. vastly reduced from pre-closure days there’s more that can and should be and has helped restore Atlantic sword- No Habitat, No Fish. Billfish, like other done, and I’m committed – and Wild fish by protecting juvenile broadbill on wide-ranging predators, depend on Oceans is committed – to seeing all our their nursery grounds. healthy oceans and habitat, unob- good work continue and bring about structed migratory pathways, and an a healthy future, for the fish and fish- Gearing Down. The network of east abundant and available supply of prey, ing. 

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fishing, support coastal economies, and supply fresh fish in a sustainable manner. manner. sustainable a in fish fresh supply and economies, coastal support fishing, 

commercial fishermen change over to more selective ways to catch swordfish and tuna, allowing them to continue continue to them allowing tuna, and swordfish catch to ways selective more to over change fishermen commercial

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, which we view as an innovative means to reduce reduce to means innovative an as view we which , the behind strongly is PLL Bycatch Reduction Project Reduction Bycatch PLL Oceans Wild

years. years.

participation in a full rollout of the project in 2018. The project is expected to continue for an estimated five to 10 10 to five estimated an for continue to expected is project The 2018. in project the of rollout full a in participation

to allow the project designers to evaluate it while continuing to engage with additional fishermen to increase increase to fishermen additional with engage to continuing while it evaluate to designers project the allow to

The project was launched in 2017 as a 4-month “pilot”, March through June, with seven vessels participating, participating, vessels seven with June, through March “pilot”, 4-month a as 2017 in launched was project The

have demonstrated minimal bycatch in other regions. regions. other in bycatch minimal demonstrated have

owners will be testing alternative gears, such as buoy-gear for swordfish and green-stick gear for yellowfin, which which yellowfin, for gear green-stick and swordfish for buoy-gear as such gears, alternative testing be will owners

Restoration Funds collected in a settlement with oil company BP in 2011. During the 6-month “repose,” vessel vessel “repose,” 6-month the During 2011. in BP company oil with settlement a in collected Funds Restoration

vessel owners who agree to refrain from longlining from January to June will be compensated, through Gulf Gulf through compensated, be will June to January from longlining from refrain to agree who owners vessel

designed to lower fishing mortality during a voluntary suspension of longlining in the gulf each spring. Participating Participating spring. each gulf the in longlining of suspension voluntary a during mortality fishing lower to designed

According to NOAA and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, who are jointly administering the project, it is is it project, the administering jointly are who Foundation, Wildlife & Fish National the and NOAA to According

catch and swordfish. swordfish. and tuna yellowfin catch

spill. These fish and numerous others are routinely killed as bycatch by fishermen using indiscriminate longlines to to longlines indiscriminate using fishermen by bycatch as killed routinely are others numerous and fish These spill.

species, including bluefin tuna, billfish, sharks and mackerel, harmed by the disastrous 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil oil Horizon Deepwater 2010 disastrous the by harmed mackerel, and sharks billfish, tuna, bluefin including species,

of Mexico this spring. The The spring. this Mexico of is part of an effort to restore fish pelagic restore to effort an of part is Pelagic Longline Bycatch Reduction Project Project Reduction Bycatch Longline Pelagic

A new project aimed at reducing bycatch in the tuna and swordfish longline fisheries got underway in the Gulf Gulf the in underway got fisheries longline swordfish and tuna the in bycatch reducing at aimed project new A

NOAA launches gulf restoration project restoration gulf launches NOAA

OIL SPILL MONEY USED TO REDUCE LONGLINE BYCATCH, MOVE TO CLEANER GEAR CLEANER TO MOVE BYCATCH, LONGLINE REDUCE TO USED MONEY SPILL OIL

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