Everything that was expected did occur at the meeting! A show of force that NMFS had not seen on Bluefin in years. New blood, from well spoken individuals (like eric, chatham charter boat, good job!). An impression was made but we are far from a win. The political ladder must be climbed, it is costly and needs fishermens support. Many Bluefin Dealers are already on board for this year. We want you too.
There is a plan, it began before the meeting. The meeting is just part of it and the start of a revoloution for the American Bluefin Tuna Fishermen. We will not be stepped on any more! A new orginization is formed "NBTA" and needs your support and funding. Help organize the new group that will be unified in its objectives and representive of recreational and commercial fishermen. Following is an application and some more information.
Northeast Bluefin Tuna Association
Mission Statement
The name of this association is the Northeast Bluefin Tuna Association (NBTA). The principal office will be located in Salem N.H. The fundamental purpose of the NBTA is to advance the common, consensus interests of fishermen and companies participating and benefiting from commercial and recreational fishing activities for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. Five principal objectives are:
- To protect the U.S. historical 54% share of the international western Atlantic quota mandated under agreements authored by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT);
- To generally protect the traditional domestic program and recreational categories under the Final Highly Migratory Species FMP; and
- To protect the forage base and ecosystem conditions that would provide adequate food source to attract and maintain tuna on Northeast fishing grounds. And, to advocate balanced fishery policies regarding competitive or nuisance species abundance such as with spiny dogfish known to hinder effective fishing for bluefin tuna.
- To assure that reasonable opportunities are provided to bluefin tuna fishermen to catch quota under the minimum number of regulations necessary and desirable under NMFS management.
- To provide for a Board of Directors representative of the main fisheries today to decide specific policies, objectives and strategies.
- To provide a means of communication and distribution of information among individuals and companies involved in the fishery primarily through electronic communications and occasional newsletters.
The NBTA founding partners will consist of volunteer reps of the NSCTA, GCTA and ECTA and serve as a temporary Board of Directors until elections from the membership can be considered. This Board will also initially propose a balanced structure for a permanent Board to represent the cooperating user groups.
The Annual Dues for fishermen will start at $50.00 payable to NBTA at P.O. Box 447, Salem, N.H. 03079. The new Board will decide Associate Members dues.
Name Incl. Boat:
Email Address:
Mailing Address:
Phone #’s:
NMFS BLUEFIN Meeting and A Plan
