Gear alternatives for catching swordfish are being explored through the use of Exempted Fishing Permits. Stakeholder workshops have also been held to discuss management and monitoring of the swordfish fishery.
NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast Region Highly Migratory Species Branch is working with various organizations, fishermen, and the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) to explore gear alternatives for catching swordfish through the use of Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs). EFPs authorized by NOAA Fisheries allow participants to conduct commercial fishing activities that are otherwise prohibited by federal regulations.
Questions regarding the EFP application process can be emailed to:
Chris Fanning
NMFS West Coast Region
(Chris.Fanning@noaa.gov)
The Code of Federal Regulations outlines the necessary components of an EFP application, and the PFMC and its advisory bodies have provided additional guidance for EFP applicants. EFP applications can be submitted directly to NOAA Fisheries or to the PFMC for a preliminary review. The PFMC may recommend NOAA Fisheries consider an EFP application for issuance, as well as provide input on potential terms and conditions of the permit. NOAA Fisheries considers the PFMC’s recommendations for an EFP.
Much of the impetus for exploring gear options for harvesting swordfish and other highly migratory species along the U.S. West Coast came from stakeholder workshops. Fishery managers, scientists, fishermen, and representatives of environmental organizations first came together in 2011 to share information and discuss perspectives on the long-term sustainability of the U.S. West Coast swordfish fishery. A second workshop was convened in 2015. Following, the PFMC developed a draft Swordfish Management and Monitoring Plan (last updated September 2018).
This workshop took place from May 10-11, 2011, in San Diego, California, and was coordinated through the Southwest Regional Office and the Southwest Fisheries Science Center of NOAA Fisheries. It brought together stakeholders to share information and discuss perspectives on the long- term sustainability of the U.S. West Coast Swordfish fisheries.
The workshop objectives were to establish through information sharing, the current state of knowledge on biological, ecological, and socioeconomic factors of Pacific swordfish fisheries, and achieve a common understanding among stakeholders of the current issues facing, and potential future of the U.S. West Coast swordfish fisheries.
Participation was by invitation only.
Steering Committee: Christina Fahy, Craig Heberer, Heidi Hermsmeyer, Jennifer Ise, Dr. Dale Squires, and Dr. Yonat Swimmer
Executive Committee: Dr. Kevin Chu, Mark Helvey, Kristin Koch, Gary Sakagawa, and Heidi Taylor
For background materials and workshop presentations, please contact Amber Rhodes, NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region Sustainable Fisheries Division, Amber.Rhodes@noaa.gov.
This meeting took place May 11-12, 2015, in La Jolla, California. It brought together stakeholders to share information and discuss perspectives on the long-term sustainability of the U.S. West Coast Swordfish fisheries.
Objective: Stakeholders will consider existing West Coast swordfish fisheries while exploring complementary strategies for optimizing fishing for highly migratory species. This conversation will take into consideration balancing sustainable fisheries with reducing bycatch and identify potential ways to reach this goal.
Key Outcomes Memo (revised September 1, 2015)
For background materials and workshop presentations, Amber Rhodes, NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region Sustainable Fisheries Division, Amber.Rhodes@noaa.gov.
An oceanic whitetip shark swims near the surface of the water. Photo courtesy of John Carlson.
Veteran intern Antonio Jones at an oyster farm in Drayton Harbor, Washington, checking traps for European Invasive Green Crab. Credit: Northwest Straits Commission
