Nope, didn't forget it at all. Also didn't forget that recs only took a reported 5 Trophy class fish in 2009.

If Trophy class fish are that much in trouble and considering Comms can ONLY target fish over 73", that's all the MORE reason that the Comms quota should be reduced or shut down.

Who says they're in trouble?The recreational quota has been reached.Therefore,it was closed.
5 trophy fish caught last year,huh?I saw a lot more than that posted on the various tuna forums last year.

5 "Reported" fish. There were more than 5 "trophy fish" taken by recs bragging on the internet with pictures.

I wouldn't take people's lack of reporting their catch as an indication of stock size.

Anyone think the recs need to organize and come together and fight the issues more the way the charter boat associations and commercials do instead of complaining on STUPID internet sites like this one and others !

As a new member of the charter/headboat category this year I'd put my investment in the $5k -$7k range for safety(raft, Epirb, suits, flares etc) , captains license (course) and all of the nonsense involved for charter license (TWIC, CPR, physicals).

So far I haven't recouped a dime. My hope was that I'd get a couple of commercial fish to help recoup the investment. Unfortunately the USCG licensing process took 6 weeks and I missed the good spring bite.

So yes, I have a vested interest in selling fish.

We do it's called the ABTA. I agree Ron.

Typhoon as for the real bite........ talk to me in mid October November. Its trophy seller city. The recs far outnumber the rest so it only makes sense to allocate likewise. Economicallly speaking recs spend way more than the rest in terms of tackle gear etc. due to the sheer numbers. Next year I'm going chartering.

"Next year I'm going chartering."
Matt,
I'll mate for you !

Sounds good to me.

Why should a comm be allowed to take home fish? You're not in it for food, you're in it for money.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Money=food=money does it not? Most commercial fishermen eat a lot of fish. Groundfisherman are allowed to bring home 20lbs of fillets that don't count against their quota.

If you don't like the rules, quit.

I only mentioned it,because,someone thought it would be a good idea to close the 73 inch plus,to ALL user groups.Someone who thinks that recs are somehow being treated unfairly.Even though the recs are the ones who went over their quota.

Um,yeah,again,this closure is for recs.

They made a ton of money off permits knowing 12 days after the permit sale deadline they would change the rules to the game. They knew well ahead the qouta was over. I think that's what upsets me the most. The Rec qouta for trophy fish was set at 1.7mt. Thats like 10 fish for 30K permits. They need to reset the qoutas. The Comms can't catch their share anyways, so what's tha big deal?:)

This fishery and its permitting/quota/reporting process has been mismanaged for a long time. Is why my rec permit was not applied for this year. Was waiting to see what class of fish was here before deciding which way to go.
The most recent regulatory change has made the comm sector appear to be a special interest group of the Obama administration. The NMFS took the money and then made the non recs the "elite" darlings.
There are and will continue to be a number of boats fishing without permits this year, until the ground rules are set for Aug-October, which many consider to be the peak season.
I know of many recs who, if they landed a trophy, would have no problem getting it over the rail of a special interest permit holder and getting it to market...... Just saying, it is the reality. As is the inherent mortality the new regs are going to have on the fishery, even with C&R....which is a joke with 50% of the yahoos out there....

Do you agree thre is no possible reason a Charter Boat neds to keep a 73" fish either. Charter boats are not commercial boats.

People that have their quota cut get upset
People that do not, don't

People that stick together win
People that split up and make themselves diffrent from others lose

that about sums it up right there.

Charter boats are commercial if they keep a 73 inch bluefin! Let me explain further, if the first fish they catch is under 59 inches and they keep it they are recreational and cannot keep any more tuna. If the first fish they catch is 73 inches or better they are commercial and cannot keep any tuna smaller than 73 inches on that trip. If they catch a 73 or better fish it must be sold to a licensed dealer.