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Commercial Fisheries News
Volume 36 Number 8
April 2009
New group organizing to protect US bluefin tuna quota share
SALEM, MA - In response to concerns that uncaught fish will result in a reduction of the US quota, members of several bluefin tuna organizations are cooperating in the creation of a new group, the Northeast Bluefin Tuna Association (NBTA).
The mission of the organization is to protect the US’s historical 54% share of the western Atlantic quota issued by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.
Other goals include: protecting traditional commercial and recreational fishing categories under the federal highly migratory species fishery management plan; protecting the forage base and ecosystem needed to attract bluefin tuna; assuring that US fishermen have reasonable opportunities to fish for bluefin under a minimum number of regulations; creating a solid organizational structure; and communicating effectively with individuals and companies involved in the bluefin fishery.
As of late March, the group had around 50 members, 23 of whom had agreed to serve on its board of directors.
Rich Ruais, who was working to get the NBTA off the ground, said the association planned to create “mini-delegations” of local fishermen who will interact personally with members of their congressional delegation and drive an intensive grassroots campaign to win support for the industry.
“We will deliver a consistent message through a no-holds-barred, pull-out-all-the-stops effort: Save our bluefin tuna and swordfish shares at ICCAT,” Ruais said. “We’ve earned it. We’ve led the way on conservation. And we’re going to the wall to protect our quota.”
NBTA membership is open to all. For more information, contact Ruais at: phone (603) 490-4715; or e-mail <rruais@aol.com>. Or contact Ralph Pratt at: phone (781) 828-7797; or e-mail <ralph.pratt@mail.verizon.net>. /cfn/
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