Swordfish research project

An application has been submitted to NOAA Fisheries for a research project that would allow for commercial long-line fishing for swordfish in an area of Florida that has been closed to the practice since 2001.

The application for an exempted fishing permit was submitted by Nova Southeastern University professor

David Kerstetter.

Among the goals of the research, which could last from one year to up to three years if the permit is granted and then reauthorized, is to see the number and size of the swordfish caught in the closed area compared with catches outside of the area. Up to six boats would be allowed to fish.

Kerstetter would also look at what non-targeted species are caught by the long-line boats in the closed area.

At a meeting last week of the Hollywood Hills Saltwater Fishing Science and Social Club in Dania Beach, Kerstetter said the fishing would be monitored by Nova Southeastern students and everything would be recorded on video.

Most of the recreational and commercial hook-and-line and buoy gear swordfish anglers at the meeting were not in favor of the project.

Among their reasons was the fear that long-lining would diminish the current stock of swordfish in South Florida, result in the discard of undersized dead swordfish and catch species such as sea turtles and bluefin tuna.

RJ Boyle of Lighthouse Point, a pioneer of electric reel daytime fishing for swordfish who has fished commercially for swordfish and now fishes recreationally, is among those against the project.

“The applicants for this experiment seem to believe that due to the location of this closed area there will be no effect on recreational and buoy gear anglers to the north or south of this area,” Boyle said. “The experimental zone located to our north means nothing to a highly migratory fish which swims north and south through the zone. The thought process of these applicants that fishing 100 miles to our north will have no effect on our fisheries is so far off base.

“Being a fisherman connected worldwide, I can tell you that the push of a migratory fish is regimented and is only swayed by bait, current, reproduction and time. Fishing 4,500 hooks every night for a possible three years in this closed zone will provide great catches or failure based on the migratory cycle of the swordfish.

“Fishing this closed zone is a losing proposition on a grand scale regardless of what these boats catch. As for science and research, grant an applicant the ability do a study on an already successful commercial buoy fishery, as one has not been done since its inception.”

To view and comment on the application, go online to nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/compliance/efp/index.html. Comments must be received by Feb. 16.