Circle Hook Regs Suspended

[Bohica]

Atlantic Coast – Proposed Rule Would Suspend Circle Hook Requirement in Billfish Tournaments NOAA Fisheries has proposed to temporarily suspend circle hook requirements for anglers participating in Atlantic billfish tournaments. A final rule published on October 2, 2006, required anglers aboard highly migratory species (HMS) permitted vessels and anglers participating in Atlantic billfish tournaments to deploy only non-offset circle hooks when using natural baits or natural bait/artificial lure combinations, effective January 1, 2007. The purpose of the final rule was to reduce post-release mortality of Atlantic billfish and other species with which billfish tournament anglers may interact. However, NOAA Fisheries has continued to receive public comment regarding the perceived impacts of the billfish tournament non-offset circle hook requirement. The objective of this proposed rule is to increase post-release survival of Atlantic billfishes by improving long-term compliance with billfish tournament non-offset circle hook regulations. Comments may be sent to 0648-AV25@noaa.gov until March 30, 2007. Public hearings will take place in Snow Hill, MD; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and Morehead City, NC. For more information, contact Russell Dunn or Randy Blankinship at (727) 824-5399.

[Sam]

SO, it's a proposed rule to suspend the circle hook requirement? As of now, the circle hook is a requirement for billfish tournaments?

[Sam]

Any of you offshore guys want to chime in with your opinions?

[happy2fish]

11-Jun-2007

Atlantic Circle Hook Rule Postponed

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced the final rule suspending the mandatory circle hook requirements for participants fishing in Atlantic billfish tournaments effective May 11, 2007 through December 31, 2007.||

THE CIRCLE HOOK REQUIREMENTS WILL BE REINSTATED, UNCHANGED ON JANUARY 1, 2008. These regulations require anglers fishing from HMS permitted vessels and participating in Atlantic billfish tournaments to use only non-offset circle hooks when deploying natural baits or natural bait/artificial lure combinations. (The use of J-hooks is allowed with artificial lures.) TBF encourages all anglers to practice using circle hooks in preparation for the reinstatement of the rule.

Please note: If your US state regulations are more restrictive than federal regulations, you must abide by the more restrictive regulations. At this time, TBF is only aware of such regulations being in place in North Carolina.

The final rule can be viewed by visiting http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/fishery_rules/2007/5-08-07%20BLF%20C-Hook%20FR%20Notice%20microcomp.pdf.

ReferenceA blog by IGFA Captain Adrian Watt

[Sam]

So, back to J-hooks for a few more months? What is the point of suspending this? Who's complaining about circle hooks? Are we all in agreement that these are GOOD for billfish?

[TOO EZ]

My opinion

This is BULL!@#$@!#T

I will be sending off an email.

[Steve]

Possibly because of the chance of missing a hook-up with the circle.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Steve

Possibly because of the chance of missing a hook-up with the circle.

Is this the best we can come up with? Why did they suspend the reg?

[Steve]

Ok, ok...
The short version is they say it will not adversely affect the Atlantic wide stock in a measurably way. The phase-in will allow anglers time to become more proficient, comfortable and accepting of circle hooks. And....
To do a better study of rigging styles versus mortality rates for circle and J hooks.

Like I said, less hook-ups because of a less proficient angler.