Information on NCMC's conservation efforts for sailfish, marlin, swordfish, tuna, and sharks.

CIRCLE HOOK RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT IN 2008

5/10/07  Anglers fishing in Atlantic billfish tournaments this year will not have to use circle hooks, the National Marine Fisheries Service announced on May 9th. The agency has decided to postpone the requirement, originally intended to be in force this year, until January 1, 2008. Beginning next year, then, all participants in billfish tournaments on the East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. territories in the Caribbean will be required to use a non-offset circle hook when using natural or natural/live bait combinations.

The use of non-offset circle hooks, instead of J-hooks, reduces hooking mortality for released marlin and sailfish by around 66 percent and therefore could save hundreds if not thousands of billfish. Studies indicate, for instance, that as many as 500 more white marlin caught and released in tournaments would survive. The National Coalition for Marine Conservation opposed the delay (as did most recreational fishing and conservation groups), in oral and written testimony to NMFS and as a member of the Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel, citing these savings and the dire condition of the white marlin population. NMFS says giving tournament anglers an extra year to prepare will increase the rule's effectiveness.

Read more on our Bring Back the Big Fish program.

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Learn more about circle hooks.
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