Houston, TX – A critically important longline management bill (S 1911) died prior to full Congressional approval in the waning days of the last session. This potent bill included the solutions to most Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic longline management problems but collapsed because of shortfalls in appropriations. The management of Gulf and Atlantic longliners and highly migratory species (billfish, sharks and tunas) will now be left to the courts and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) until the next Congressional session, according to the Coastal Conservation Association.

“We all know NMFS’ track record on highly migratory species management,” said Fred Miller, Chairman of CCA’s Government Relations Committee. “With the demise of S 1911, both the resource and offshore recreational anglers could lose.”

NMFS issued a final regulation for longline management that threatens to increase already excessive billfish, shark and turtle bycatch from Gulf and Atlantic longlines. With limited time and area closures and no longline permit or vessel buyout program, NMFS’ new regulation offers no reduction in longlining effort, an increase in wasteful bycatch and harmful longline vessel displacement to the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and mid-Atlantic.

“With the loss of S 1911, we are left with considerably less conservation benefit for our marine resources,” said David Cummins, CCA’s president. “We will continue to pursue a comprehensive legislative solution to problems in the management of longlining and highly migratory species, and oppose any regulation that threatens to increase already excessive longliner bycatch.”

CCA has filed suit in federal district court to force NMFS to comply with congressionally mandated bycatch reduction requirements. With the threat of increased bycatch of marlin and sharks and no pending reduction in longlining effort, CCA will continue to battle for proper longline management.

“We’ve missed an historic opportunity,” said Bob Hayes, CCA’s general counsel. “Our objective was to take a first step to control longline bycatch through area closures, a buyout of part of the fleet and by initiating research for future management. Unfortunately, all we are currently getting is NMFS’ rule. As it stands, we have significantly less help for the resource and the recreational anglers who utilize it.”

CCA will continue to pursue viable solutions for the management of Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic longliners and highly migratory species.