BRING BACK THE BIG FISH!

NCMC encourages the use of circle hooks

Anglers voluntarily release alive about 98 percent of the billfish they catch. There is little to be gained by further restricting landings (with the possible exception of a maximum size limit to protect the largest and most productive breeders). The greatest additional conservation benefit comes from actions to reduce post-release mortality in the recreational fishery. These are actions every billfish angler can take.

The NCMC has long advocated the use of circle hooks in the billfish fishery, as have most fishing and conservation organizations, clubs and tournaments. We support a concerted educational program to make the use of circle hooks by anglers targeting billfish as widespread as possible, if not universal. A mandatory requirement would be unenforceable and ineffective. Education on the proper use of circle hooks is necessary in either case, so the emphasis should be on developing and implementing a cooperative educational/promotional effort involving NOAA Fisheries, angling groups, and conservation organizations. Such a program should provide the best advice on the correct use of circle hooks and publicize the information broadly and consistently, utilizing all the educational tools at our collective disposal, including the Internet.

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SWORDFISH, SHARKS AND OTHER BIG FISH NEED YOUR HELP

click and select "Bring Back the Big Fish" in the program drop down menu