The Pacific Fishery Management Council is considering an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) that would allow one drift gillnet vessel to conduct an experimental pelagic longline fishery in West Coast federal waters. Though the permit would only apply to a single vessel, the goal of the experiment is to collect data on the feasibility for current drift gillnet permit holders to switch to longline gear when harvesting swordfish. To date, some 70 vessels have expressed an interest in making the change. Because pelagic longlines indiscriminately kill a number of non-targeted species, including sea turtles, marine mammals, seabirds, striped marlin, tuna and sharks, they are currently prohibited by the Council's HMS (Highly Migratory Species) Fishery Management Plan.

The Council is currently considering management measure options, which include denying the EFP, and allowing the EFP with some restrictions. Details of the options can be seen here. NCMC has testified at Council meetings and has submitted written comments to NOAA Fisheries asking that this EFP be denied. This "experiment" would serve only to replace one indiscriminate gear with another, and the Council should instead be studying more selective fishing methods for swordfish, such as the use of traditional but highly effective hand gear.

We encourage all interested anglers to send a quick email to the council asking them to oppose the EFP for an experimental pelagic longline fishery in West Coast federal waters. Emails can be sent anytime before a decision is made at their April 1-6, 2007 meeting.

Send comments to: pfmc.comments@noaa.gov