12-18-2006, 09:10 PM
FT. LAUDERDALE, FL - Dr. Russell Nelson represented The Billfish Foundation
(TBF) and conservation minded anglers on the U.S. delegation at the 2006<br />
annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of<br />
Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) which ended in Dubrovnik, Croatia on November 26.
The U.S. was successful in negotiating an extension of the existing<br />
conservation measures, which appear responsible for improving the status of<br />
both white and blue marlin. A measure was adopted that extends the existing<br />
management measures (mandatory live release and landing reductions of 33%<br />
for blue marlin, 66% for white marlin) through 2010 when the next stock<br />
assessment is scheduled. The measure additionally provided for the first<br />
time, observer coverage of the high seas longline fleets and also required<br />
monitoring and reporting of billfish landings from all artisan fisheries<br />
with a mandated cap on artisan catches.
"During the meeting, we were able to work effectively with Brazil, Senegal<br />
and other nations that are emerging as billfish advocates within ICCAT to<br />
continue progressive steps forward in conservation," said Nelson. "We are<br />
confident that our dialogue will enhance our conservation efforts and<br />
increase marlin populations around the world."
Another key goal of the U.S. and conservationists around the world was to<br />
prompt ICCAT to finally set a quota for eastern blue fin tuna consistent<br />
with the advice generated by the organization's scientific panel.<br />
Conservation efforts were promoted by the U.S., Norway, and Canada but<br />
stymied by the European Union (EU). Though the conservative recommendation<br />
was to set the quota of no more than 15,000 metric tons, a more liberal EU<br />
proposal to set a quota at 29,500 metric tons was finally passed.
"We are extremely concerned that a collapse of eastern bluefin tuna will<br />
have widespread and damaging impacts on the Atlantic's pelagic ecosystem"<br />
said TBF President Ellen Peel. "We are grateful for the growing support<br />
amongst many ICCAT nations for billfish conservation and we will continue to<br />
work to sustain the eastern bluefin tuna in order to have a balanced oceanic<br />
ecosystem."
The existing northern swordfish management, which has driven a resounding<br />
recovery of this stock, was also continued. The United States and Japan<br />
will transfer their under-harvest quotas to other nations in order to<br />
provide an opportunity for some newer member nations to develop their<br />
swordfish fisheries.
The Billfish Foundation works worldwide to advance the conservation of<br />
billfish and associated species to improve the health of our oceans and<br />
coastal economies. This year, TBF celebrates its 20th Anniversary of<br />
conservation successes through scientific research, education and advocacy<br />
for responsible management. For more information about TBF, go to:<br />
www.billfish.org
(TBF) and conservation minded anglers on the U.S. delegation at the 2006<br />
annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of<br />
Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) which ended in Dubrovnik, Croatia on November 26.
The U.S. was successful in negotiating an extension of the existing<br />
conservation measures, which appear responsible for improving the status of<br />
both white and blue marlin. A measure was adopted that extends the existing<br />
management measures (mandatory live release and landing reductions of 33%<br />
for blue marlin, 66% for white marlin) through 2010 when the next stock<br />
assessment is scheduled. The measure additionally provided for the first<br />
time, observer coverage of the high seas longline fleets and also required<br />
monitoring and reporting of billfish landings from all artisan fisheries<br />
with a mandated cap on artisan catches.
"During the meeting, we were able to work effectively with Brazil, Senegal<br />
and other nations that are emerging as billfish advocates within ICCAT to<br />
continue progressive steps forward in conservation," said Nelson. "We are<br />
confident that our dialogue will enhance our conservation efforts and<br />
increase marlin populations around the world."
Another key goal of the U.S. and conservationists around the world was to<br />
prompt ICCAT to finally set a quota for eastern blue fin tuna consistent<br />
with the advice generated by the organization's scientific panel.<br />
Conservation efforts were promoted by the U.S., Norway, and Canada but<br />
stymied by the European Union (EU). Though the conservative recommendation<br />
was to set the quota of no more than 15,000 metric tons, a more liberal EU<br />
proposal to set a quota at 29,500 metric tons was finally passed.
"We are extremely concerned that a collapse of eastern bluefin tuna will<br />
have widespread and damaging impacts on the Atlantic's pelagic ecosystem"<br />
said TBF President Ellen Peel. "We are grateful for the growing support<br />
amongst many ICCAT nations for billfish conservation and we will continue to<br />
work to sustain the eastern bluefin tuna in order to have a balanced oceanic<br />
ecosystem."
The existing northern swordfish management, which has driven a resounding<br />
recovery of this stock, was also continued. The United States and Japan<br />
will transfer their under-harvest quotas to other nations in order to<br />
provide an opportunity for some newer member nations to develop their<br />
swordfish fisheries.
The Billfish Foundation works worldwide to advance the conservation of<br />
billfish and associated species to improve the health of our oceans and<br />
coastal economies. This year, TBF celebrates its 20th Anniversary of<br />
conservation successes through scientific research, education and advocacy<br />
for responsible management. For more information about TBF, go to:<br />
www.billfish.org