White marlin, revisited

[ult]

Check out this quote from the NMFS:

5/10/07  Anglers fishing in Atlantic billfish tournaments this year will not have to use circle hooks, the National Marine Fisheries Service announced on May 9th. The agency has decided to postpone the requirement, originally intended to be in force this year, until January 1, 2008.

The use of non-offset circle hooks, instead of J-hooks, reduces hooking mortality for released marlin and sailfish by around 66 percent and therefore could save hundreds if not thousands of billfish. Studies indicate, for instance, that as many as 500 more white marlin caught and released in tournaments would survive. The National Coalition for Marine Conservation opposed the delay (as did most recreational fishing and conservation groups), in oral and written testimony to NMFS and as a member of the Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel, citing these savings and the dire condition of the white marlin population.

So, the rule's been postponed before ever taking effect. Now, let's set aside for a moment the fact that a single longliner kills off more whites than 100 recreational anglers on any given day. Let's set aside the fact that support for this rule was more or less across the board. Why did they delay implementation? What is the reason the NMFS decided to make this move? Here's the logic:

NMFS says giving tournament anglers an extra year to prepare will increase the rule's effectiveness

Recreational anglers need an entire year to "prepare?" Huh? I guess that time is needed to find and buy circle hooks, and re-rig leaders? What the hell are these people thinking? Am I missing something here? If so, someone please set me straight!

[petemcdonald]

Lenny,

 

We just posted a podcast with John Unkart discussing how to fish circle hooks for billfish:

 

http://dailycast.fishboatmag.com/blog/2007/05/podcast_hooking.html

[D.sourf]

I would not be stupid enough to put white rear plates on but ill tell you now we will have them, sooner than you think??
Mike.