UFiSH on the Swordfish Boycott (Break) Longlining & Conservation Debate  In 1998, the Year of the Ocean, extra attention was focused on the practice of longline fishing which primarily targets palegic species such as Tuna and, very much so, the Swordfish.  The undisputed fact is, the average weight of the swordfish being caught today is under 90 pounds while in the 60's it was over 300 pounds, the concern is real.  Strict regulations are in place and perhaps that alone will help the stock recover, but, many believe that it's not enough and we need to severely curb our consumption and over-harvesting of this species.  "Save Our Swordfish -- S.O.S.) boycott & "Give Swordfish a Break" campaigns were begun which asked consumers to stop eating swordfish; restaurants, chefs & retailers to stop serving it, consumers to stop buying it.  UFiSH believes that indescriminate killing of fish is in the nature of commercial fishing by both net and longline, but, the death of many juvenile palegic fish, sharks (most on the brink of collapse and scarcer by the day), through longlining specifically, can be limited further.  By-catch discards are a sad effect of this fishing and due to extended pressure, regulations are in place which has decreased the length of the lines and the time they can soak them unattended, but, many argue this is not enough.  While regulation & intervention are necessary, like all laws and rules, they can go too far or be based on more emotion than fact.  To help better understand the facts and enlighten those who would stand on either side of the fence, UFiSH lists the sites & pages we've researched on this issue for you to form your own, educated, opinion...   Give Swordfish a Break, Conserve & Stop Longliners Fish Unlimited -- While we feel the pain commercial long-line fishermen go through, as recreational fisshermen we cannot condone the practice of indescriment fishing with over 20 miles of hooks.  One of FishUnlimited's goals is aimed at trying to stop this practice along with multiple ways of improving habitat & the environment... National Coalition for Marine Conservation (NCMC) --  The nation's oldest public advocacy group dedicated exclusively to conserving the world's ocean fish, habitat and environment.  Their mission is to build public awareness of the threats to our marine fisheries, provide constructive solutions, and convince state, national and international fishery managers to take appropriate action to reverse the depletion of marine fishery resources.... Recreational Fishing Alliance -- The RFA represents salt water angler frustrated when the federal government, the state legislatures and even the courts impose unreasonable restrictions on the ability to enjoy recreational fishing or curtail commercial devastation of the oceans...   The Billfish Foundation -- The Billfish Foundation is dedicated to billfish and their marine environment.  Through scientific research, public education and advocacy they hope to restrict commercial longlines and gillnets, the greatest threat to the survival of billfish... Chambers & Associates Chambers & Associates -- A Fisheries Biologist & Consultant who spent the last 2 yrs of a 30 yr career responsible for swordfish & billfish mgt at the NMFS headquarters.  He believes all of these extremely valuable stocks are in danger of slipping down the slippery slope to extinction unless pressure is put on the government to turn the situation around.  Most recently petitioning to have the most imperiled, White Marlin,  listed as Endangered under the ESA... Ocean Wildlife Campaign -- The Ocean Wildlife Campaign is a coalition of five conservation groups: The National Audubon Society, National Coalition for Marine Conservation, Natural Resources Defense Council, New England Aquarium, Wildlife Conservation Society, and World Wildlife Fund's Endangered Seas Campaign... SeaWeb: A Word from the Chefs -- Comments from Chef in support of the Swordfish boycott... Wake Forest Albatross Project -- Hawaii study on how Longliners are killing Albatrosses as these birds go after the hooks and become "Bycatch"... Vegetarian Society -- Page on how commercial fishing w-nets and longlines kills thousands of innocent ocean creatures...   Eat Swordfish & Commercial Fishing/Longlining OK NJ FishNet -- "'A consumer campaign that missed by a mile"... Pages noting why the current Swordfish boycott is not productive & only hurts the North Atlantic fishermen & consumers due to 2/3rds of Swordfish coming from well managed Pacific stocks & fisherman...  Pro Argument Page / Boston Globe Article  / Philadelphia Newspapers Inc. Article / Philadelphia Newspapers Inc. OP-ED [ Homepage ] National Fisheries Institue -- The Fish & Seafood Trade Association.  They indicate the boycott hurts more than it helps.  It does recognize the issues of the depleted stock, but, offers more focus on why it's a concern for fish from non-compliant countries and not US & Canadian fisherman who have taken strides at conservation... National Marine Fisheries Service -- While this is supposed to be a non-partisan Organization, their tactics, origins from the Dept of Commerce, rulings and interpretation of the facts indicates they are clearly aligned with interests of Commercial fishermen & not necessarily the Fish.  This organization does include public comment and has to work within International treaties & guidelines in regards to Economic Impact in their rulings... [ Homepage ] Western Pacific Fishery Mgt Council -- A Council Authorized by the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976, this is the policy-making organization for the management of fisheries in the EEZ around American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, the Northern Mariana Islands and other US possessions in the Pacific, an area of nearly 1.5 million square miles... see also: Pelagics Articles Western Fishboat Owners Association - WFOA - WFOA represents hook-and-line Albacore Tuna vessels, working with other pelagic fishermen on shared issues.  A very good Fisheries Management page on concepts, techniques, raw data, glossary and plans ...   ( WebFoodPros: Swordfish boycott Message Thread ) ( Reel-Time: Swordfish boycott Message Thread Click NEXT IN THREAD ) UFiSH "Andrea Gail" Page Register your opinion on the Swordfish Argument

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