From the National Marine Fisheries Service Fisheries Service:

A new final rule provides additional opportunities for U.S. vessels to more fully utilize the U.S. North Atlantic swordfish quota, in recognition of the improved stock status of the species. The most recent stock assessment found that biomass of the North Atlantic swordfish stock has reached 99% of the biomass that would support the maximum sustainable yield. For the past several years, the United States has not fully harvested its available North Atlantic swordfish quota due to strict domestic management measures that were designed to help the swordfish stock rebuild. The U.S. North Atlantic swordfish quota is derived from the recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

This final rule will increase swordfish retention limits for Incidental swordfish permit holders, and modify recreational swordfish retention limits for HMS Charter/Headboat and Angling category permit holders. It will also modify HMS limited access vessel upgrading restrictions for vessels concurrently issued certain HMS permits. These changes will address persistent underharvests of the domestic North Atlantic swordfish quota, while continuing to minimize bycatch to the extent practicable, so that swordfish are harvested in a sustainable, yet economically viable manner.

The new regulations take effect on July 9, 2007. For more information, contact Rick.A.Pearson@noaa.gov.

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