10/09  The NCMC in 2009 successfully blocked an amendment to authorize a pelagic longline fishery seaward of the West Coast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Pacific Ocean. In April, the Pacific Council voted to adopt the no-action alternative, effectively killing it. While it would require another amendment to the council's highly migratory species plan, a spokesman for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) - which supports a longline fishery - said the agency will review the council's April decision. There is a distinct possibility that NMFS and the longline industry will renew their efforts at the council to permit longlining for swordfish and tuna off the west coast, either beyond the EEZ or within it. NCMC will be
there, highly involved through attendance at council meetings, through written submissions, and in cooperation with other NGOs (non-governmental organizations) in the region, to make sure that vulnerable fish species and endangered sea turtles are not subjected to increased fishing pressure from indiscriminate longlining.

The Pacific Council in 2008 recommended that NMFS issue an exempted fishing permit to a California-based vessel operator to use 60-mile longlines to target swordfish 40 miles off the shore from Santa Barbara north into Oregon. That permit has not yet been issued, but its purpose is to gather information on the economic viability and environmental effects of
the method, including impacts on protected species and fish. Because of these potential impacts, NCMC has steadfastly opposed the "experiment," which could open the door to scores of longliners. NCMC will continue to oppose issuance of the permit and further build the case against opening west coast waters to this destructive and unmanageable fishing method.

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SWORDFISH, SHARKS AND OTHER BIG FISH NEED YOUR HELP

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Read more on our Bring Back the Big Fish program in the Pacific.