Mollie Verret Verdin
January 17, 2007
Pre-schoolers heading to Terrebonne libraries’ Reading WELL
January 19, 2007The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will be in town Jan. 25 to discuss regulations affecting the U.S. swordfish fishery and soon-to-be-released shark management measures.
Commercial and recreational fishermen are welcome to attend the public hearing. The session will be held from 6-9 p.m. at the Bayou Black Recreational Center, 3688 Southdown Mandalay Rd. in Houma.
Based on a 2006 stock assessment, the nation’s swordfish status is on the rebound, said Dr. Jackie Wilson, a fisheries management specialist with the NMFS.
Last November, measures were proposed to allow U.S. vessels to fully harvest the domestic swordfish quota as a result of the increased numbers. At the same time, NMFS’s proposed rule would require that fishermen ensure that the bycatch of non-target and protected species remain within acceptable levels.
Seven public hearings are planned across the coast between now and the end of January.
Wilson said the hearings will also explore scoping on shark management issues.
Based on stock assessments from 2005 and 2006, Wilson said the NMFS plans to implement measures to rebuild sandbar, dusky and porbeagle sharks while providing for sustainable shark fisheries.
An issues and options presentation relating to the upcoming NMFS amendments is viewable online at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/index.htm.
