Contact: Stephanie Dorezas              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
         Gordon Helm                    6/12/98

The National Marine Fisheries Service is proposing several measures aimed at more effectively managing Atlantic swordfish stocks while complying with international fishing laws, the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced today.

One of the major components of the proposed rule would amend existing regulations to establish annual quotas of 289 metric tons dressed weight (mt dw) per year for the 1998- 2000 South Atlantic swordfish fisheries. The proposed quota would be split into two semi- annual seasons and is based on historical catches from the 1993 and 1994 South Atlantic seasons. Implementing a quota for U.S. vessels in the South Atlantic will ensure that landings for South Atlantic swordfish are consistent with international law and contribute to collecting scientific information needed to better manage the South Atlantic swordfish stock.

Secondly, the proposed rule would amend adjustment procedures in the Atlantic swordfish fishery that would help speed up the process of re-allocating quota within a fishing season or between seasons. Under the proposal, the requirement to consult with an evaluation panel prior to certain adjustments, and then implementing the seasonal adjustments through action notices, would be eliminated. More rapid allocation decisions by the agency would allow fishermen to better plan for the next fishing season and could prevent premature closures.

Allocations in the swordfish fisheries are distributed among fishing gear types. The proposed procedures would require that gear allocations within the fishery be maintained and that the quotas would be adjusted to reflect if swordfish are over- or under-harvested. Quotas would be carried over to the next semi-annual season within the respective gear categories.

The fisheries service is seeking public comment on the proposed rule as well as two other issues that concern management of Atlantic swordfish. Vessels operating in the South Atlantic have reported to the fisheries service that few unloading sites are available to them within the designated boundaries of where they are allowed to unload. Many vessels now schedule fishing activities to unload South Atlantic swordfish in the North Atlantic during times when the northern fishery is open. This could lead to underharvest in one period while reducing the quota available for the next period. Given the problem U.S. vessel operators face in landing swordfish from the South Atlantic stock, the fisheries service is seeking comment from the industry on practical solutions to this problem.

In addition, the fisheries service is also seeking comment on the possibility of implementing trip limits for the Atlantic swordfish fishery. A specific pound limit could be set for each trip and be proportional to the size of the boat carrying the catch. The intent would be to extend the fishing season and to reduce potential discard waste and safety problems that could result from a derby-style fishery.

Comments on the proposed actions and the two related issues can be submitted through Aug. 9, 1998, to: Jill Stevenson, Highly Migratory Species Management Division, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Fax: 301-713-1917.