Working for Marine Recreational Anglers
BLUEFIN TUNA
ACTION ALERT
Since the tiny purse seine contingent of the bluefin fishery
received a disproportionate allocation of the bluefin public
resource back in 1970s under the pretext of conducting tagging
studies, there has been little chance of changing their quota.
Because of the hard work by some of the members of congress, with
special kudos going to Congressmen Jim Saxton and Frank Pallone,
there is a window of opportunity being opened that could allow
for a correction in this long standing inequity in the allocation
of this recreationally important species. What reason could have
possibly been used to justify allocating over 1/3 of the total
allowable catch to three families with 5 boats, almost double
that of the entire small fish category that is the domain of most
of the current 15,000 angling category permit holders have to
harvest between them.
The JCAA will be sending a letter to our congressional delegation re-enforcing our position on this issue immediately. If we don't act NOW, this window might not be left open for very long. If this window is allowed to close this year without resolution of the problem, it will be far more difficult to open it again in the future. Quick and decisive action on our part and strong support for those congressmen who are working to correct this inequity is a must. It is imperative that anyone that reads this notice contact your local congressional representatives, both Senate and House, Rollie Schmitten at NMFS, and the Secretary of Commerce William Daley and tell them that the purse seine allocation is totally out of proportion and should be reduced immediately. The goal is for any reduction in purse seine quota to be redistributed into the other categories, including upping the angling category. Their addresses are:
| William Daley, Secretary of Commerce Department of Commerce 14th and Constitution, NW, Room 35858 Washington, DC 20230, Fax 202-482-4576 Phone 202-482-2112 |
Rolland Schimiten Assistant Administrator National Marine Fisheries Service 1335 East West Hwy. Silver Springs Maryland 20910 Fax 301-713-2258 Phone 301-713-2239 |
Do not put it off . Call, write
and fax today, regardless of where you reside. Also mail or fax
your congressional representatives and let them know how you
feel.