In 2008, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) allowed limited numbers of commercial longliners back into conservation zones off Florida’s east coast to “test gear modifications and fishing techniques” that were expected to avoid bycatch of non-target fish and animal species.

To many recreational fishermen, it was a not-so-subtle means for commercial fishermen to re-enter the same swordfish fishery they completely decimated years before. Increasing numbers of longliners are now requesting federal permission (by means of Exempted Fishing Permits) to exploit the same conservation areas that were created to protect sailfish, marlin and swordfish.

It might be funny in a ludicrous sort of way, if it wasn’t so serious. Areas where longliners were booted saw major growth in fish numbers, especially swordfish. Recreational anglers in South Florida caught record numbers of swordfish in the last two years—so much so that “deep-dropping” for swordfish with electric reels in broad daylight is, dare we say, successful.

“From the very beginning, this has been a thinly veiled excuse to re-introduce longlining, under the guise of a bycatch study, back into areas that were justifiably closed to such gear,” said Chester Brewer, vice chairman of the CCA National Government Relations Committee.

“NMFS allowed longliners back into those zones, and the agency’s own reports indicate that there has been substantial bycatch and mortality of undersized swordfish, other fish species and threatened and endangered sea turtles from those industrial fishing operations. There is no valid reason to allow this charade to go on any longer.”

In a press release, CCA called on the NMFS “to release all data on the longline fishery gathered in 2008 to the public, conduct all necessary environmental reviews and analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act, extend the comment period on this matter so that the public can take into account the data already developed, and for no permits be re-issued or extended until the public has had a chance to review the information requested.”

Read the complete press release at: www.ccaflorida.org/press_releases/2008/12_18_08_pr.html.