Despite protests from Florida officials and sportfishing conservationists, the return of longlining in the Atlantic was authorized Thursday by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The "research" longlining is considered by many to be simply a foot in the door prelude to re-opening ocean areas that have been closed for six years, leading to a resurgence in swordfishing populations.

"Here's another disgusting insult to the public good by the federal commercial puppets," said one recreational leader. " Everyone should show tremendous outrage to our senators and congressmen. The opening goes directly against the wishes of Florida officials and citizens.

“When will we wake up and overhaul the tainted NMFS commerce system? The Coastal Conservation Association will be howling against this but it will take everyone's effort to prevent diastrous overfishing by longliners with their miles of hooks."

Florida Sportsman and its online services will be covering coming developments in what is considered a major scandal involving government pandering to private profit interests at the expense of the general public and best use of the swordfish populations.