Swordfish fishing

[albiealert]

Agency wants to allow swordfish fishing in U.S. waters

By SUDHIN THANAWALA
Associated Press


An advisory body responsible for managing fishing in U.S. waters in the Western Pacific has voted to lift a restriction on swordfish fishing.


The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council says swordfish stocks are at healthy levels and measures to minimize the danger to sea turtles have been effective.
Paul Dalzell, a senior scientist with the council, says fewer turtles are getting caught in the lines used to fish for swordfish since anglers switched to using different bait and hooks.
Dalzell says the number of times fishermen could deploy their line for swordfish was limited under the restriction, which kept swordfish fishing to about half its historical level.
The U.S. Secretary of Commerce still must approve the council's vote.

[plugaholic]

I don't know if those restrictions were eased or not. I came across this article on swordfishing and how it says the average catch weight has declined. That should tell you something.

Below, a 484-lb. swordfish caught by sport fishermen near the island of Faial in the Azores - the top big game fishing destination in the Atlantic. Since they are not only beligerant but also have soft mouths, landing one is doubly difficult.� According to Marlin Magazine (1997), "To be among the few who've landed a broadbill on rod and reel is indeed a badge of honor."� For more, see Shanghai Charters website.�� (Photo, G. Wouters)Pictured below is the primary target of the world's commercial longline fleets - large female swordfish - these weighing about 600 lbs.�� Industrial-scale commercial fleets take 99.99% of the swordfish caught worldwide.� However, in the judgment of many, swordfish are the world's premiere game fish because of their strength, stamina and ferocity.� If they live long enough, they can grow to at least 2,200 lbs., but the average north Atlantic swordfish landed by commercial vessels now weighs just 88 lbs.� (Photo, M. Alain)Above, Australian Captain Hatch after landing one of his first Azorean swords.� This one looks to be about 150 lbs. - the size at which females mature.� (Photo, Jan van Gent)Above, still the world record swordfish (842-lbs.) caught in 1936 by George Garey off Tocopilla, Chile.Early photo of Zane Grey and one of the first large swordfish caught off Catalina Island, California, where big game fishing in the United States began.Above, completely filling up the cockpit is a 292-lb. swordfish caught in the Azores by the Chris Craft called "Flamen." (Photo, Andree Angelreisen)Above, world record holder, George Garey, holding one of his hand-made reels with another massive swordfish he caught off Tocopilla, Chile.Above, Michael Lerner and a pair of big swords he caught on the same day during his Peru-Chile expedition of 1940.OTHER PAGES ON THIS WEBSITE

The Severity of Atlantic Population Losses
The Facts - Headed for Extinction
Marlin
Bluefin Tuna
Swordfish
Sailfish
Sharks


Endangered Species Act
White Marlin Listing Petition


Articles on Big Game Fish and Fishing
Overview
Hunting Giants
Hunting Grander Blue Marlin and Bluefin
Those Magnificent Giants
Going, Going, Gone
Headed for Extinction

MORE PHOTOS Photos Index
Swordfish - page 2 of 3
New World Record Swordfish
Giant Bluefin Tuna - 6 pages
Black Marlin - 3 pages
Atlantic Blue Marlin - 4 pages
Pacific Blue Marlin - 3 pages
Bigeye Tuna
Yellowfin Tuna
White Marlin - 2 pages
Spearfish
Sailfish
Large Sharks






Daily "Kill-o-Meter"

Longliners fish most heavily during the periods when the moon is brightest. So, this real-time image of the moon phase shows when the kill of swordfish is greatest and least. It also shows when the kill of blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, sharks, tunas, sea turtles, marine mammals and a host of other marine life is also greatest - even though they are not even targeted.

http://www.bigmarinefish.com/photos_swordfish_pg1.html