The Gulf Council took the horrible recommendation from their Reef Fish Committee to close longlining inside 300 feet for 5 months out of the year and made it much worse. They are asking the NMFS to move everyone out beyond 300 ft (50 fathoms) until the deep water quota is filled — which won’t take long with the entire fleet now targeting them — and then shut down the healthy and unstressed red grouper longline fishery entirely once the deep water quota is filled.
Specifically, the council initiated an emergency rule prohibiting longline gear in waters shallower than 50 fathoms for a six month period, effective as soon as possible.
Once again we wonder how they can justify putting so many people out of work during such trying economic times over an issue that is based on questionable figures extrapolated from a very small observed sector of the fishery.
This “emergency measure” still has to be approved by the NMFS.
Please note that it is based entirely on “estimates” that were extrapolated from the actual observation of 18 sea turtle interactions. Thats 18.
A September 2008 federal report estimated that over the course of 18 months ending in 2007, 974 sea turtles were captured on longlines in the eastern Gulf — exceeding limits set under the Endangered Species Act. The majority of the captures were treatened loggerhead sea turtles. The report estimated that 325 of the turtles died, 433 were released alive, and the fate of another 216 was unknown.
Gulf Council officials said the closure, once implemented by National Marine Fisheries Service, can be in effect for up to six months while the council considers other long-term solutions. The closure could be renewed by the council for another six months, if necessary, officials said.
(Quoted from an article by Katherine Sayer on al.com)