Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Monitoring of Recreational Landings

Riepilogo

NMFS proposes this rule to amend regulations governing Atlantic billfish and North Atlantic swordfish recreational fisheries to implement recommendations adopted at the 2000 meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and to enhance management programs for these species. NMFS proposes to implement a mandatory recreational landings reporting system for Atlantic blue marlin, Atlantic white marlin, west Atlantic sailfish, and North Atlantic swordfish. In addition, NMFS proposes to establish a recreational retention limit for North Atlantic swordfish; to add handlines as an authorized gear for North Atlantic swordfish; to clarify language concerning applicability of recreational retention limits for sharks, yellowfin tuna, and North Atlantic swordfish; to clarify language regarding the Billfish Certificate of Eligibility and to develop an outreach program to promote the use of circle hooks within the recreational swordfish fishery. The intent of these actions is to improve monitoring and conservation of overfished Atlantic billfish and swordfish stocks. NMFS will hold three hearings regarding these proposed amendments.