Measures Proposed to Revitalize U.S. Swordfish Fishery

December 5, 2006

Release from:
NOAA

U.S. North Atlantic swordfish catches have declined by approximately 40 percent since 1995, primarily as a result of management measures to reduce bycatch (e.g., time/area closures and gear modifications.) The objective of this proposed action is to provide a reasonable opportunity for U.S. vessels to fully harvest the United States ' quota allocation from the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). This rule would increase swordfish retention limits for Incidental swordfish permit holders, and modify recreational swordfish retention limits for HMS Charter/headboat and Angling category permit holders. The proposed rule would also modify HMS limited access vessel upgrading restrictions for pelagic longline vessels.

An October 2006 stock assessment estimated that the biomass of North Atlantic swordfish is approximately 99 percent of the biomass necessary to produce maximum sustainable yield. The preferred alternatives in this proposed rule are intended to demonstrate that the United States is committed to revitalizing its historical swordfish fishery, recognizing that the North Atlantic swordfish is almost completely rebuilt. These actions would address persistent underharvests of the domestic swordfish quota, while continuing to minimize bycatch, so that swordfish are harvested in a sust ainable, and economically viable manner.

Send comments to SF1.110206A@noaa.gov by 5pm on January 31, 2007.

For more information, contact Rick.A.Pearson@noaa.gov.