Contact: Gordon Helm FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(301) 713-2370 9/29/95
Fishermen in the New York Bight fishing area will be allowed to catch up to 10 metric tons (mt) of bluefin tuna as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service redirects a portion of this year's bluefin tuna quota to that area, the Commerce Department announced today.
Fisheries service director Rolland Schmitten approved the transfer of quota from the Incidental category to the General category to allow fishermen in the New York and New Jersey areas the same opportunity to catch large medium and giant bluefin tuna as the rest of the Atlantic fishermen.
"It's a question of fairness," said Schmitten. "Historically, this New York Bight fishery occurs at the end of the bluefin tuna season, and these fishermen deserve the same opportunity as those in other fishing areas had to catch a portion of this year's commercial-size tuna quota. Because of the bluefin tuna migration patterns thus far, no giants have been caught in New Jersey waters, and only nine in New York waters this year."
In addition, fisheries service managers will seek public comment on a variety of proposed improvements to better account for the distribution of quotas within the bluefin tuna fishery next year. Included in discussion of proposed changes are addressing overcapitalization of the fisheries, permanent quota set-asides, and alternate methods to account for landings.
"Bluefin tuna is a valuable and competitive fishery that requires the best management possible," acknowledged Schmitten. "We plan extensive review of this year's management with the help of those who benefit directly from the economic value of the fishery."
Meetings on these issues between concerned groups, the public, and fisheries service managers will be announced at a future date.
Preliminary figures indicate this year's General and Angling category bluefin tuna quotas have been exceeded, fisheries service officials acknowledge. Using the best scientific calculations available, fisheries service managers note the landings for the Angling category have exceeded the 1995 quota by more than 100 mt. At the same time, the General category has been exceeded by 111 mt. The Incidental (longline) category is 57 mt under its quota of 125 mt.
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) provides for minor adjustments in bluefin tuna quota between the 1995 and 1996 seasons. If the U.S. quota is exceeded when final totals are tabulated, any overage will be deducted from next year's quota.