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Team Rock On · 02-11-2003, 11:33 AM

Here's an interesting post by Poveromo. Will the swords be in NE next?
-----------------------------------------------george poveromo
Member posted 02-04-2003 06:14 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mako 231:
First, thank you for watching my show.

It appears that you may have misunderstood the significance of my swordfish show, and the message I had sent. As a native South Floridian, swordfish is a game fish that's near and dear to my heart. I recall like it was yesterday when a few recreational anglers discovered nighttime swordfishing off our coast, and the big sportsfishery that soon followed. The swordfishing was so outstanding that Miami became arguably the best place in the world to catch this magnificant game fish. Unfortunately, this find only lasted a few short years as the longline fleets moved in. Over the years it became nearly impossible to even get a strike on rod and reel, but we ended up snagging soaking longlines quite frequently. It was a mess, and the longliners decimated this fishery.

Finally, longlining was banned from Florida, due to the Florida straits being recognized as a major nursery for swordfish. In just two short years, the fishing has been making a remarkable comeback. Right now, the fishing is so good, that if you don't get at least two shots in a half-evening, you've had a bad night. The recreational fishing for swordfish has re-blossomed about as strong as the fish.

My point was to show how the sportsfisherman was robbed of a major big game fishery - by longliners, and how quickly these fish have been rebounding off South Florida due to the longliners leaving the area. THIS SHOULD SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE TO THE REST OF THE SPORTFISHING COMMUNITY AS TO WHY LONGLINING SHOULD BE BANNED OFF THE ENTIRE U.S. COAST - IF NOT WORLDWIDE.

As far as that "50" pound fish we killed, the scales actually tipped at 125 pounds. From what I understand, a swordfish reaches sexual maturity at around 70-pounds. So, hopefully, this fish had a spawn or two prior to our boating it. The other two fish we caught were released. You must remember that we're still dealing with a delicious food fish, not too unlike tuna and dolphin, and people will take a fish or two for dinner. Providing it's legal, I have nothing against that. Sure, I would have loved that fish to have been around 200 pounds (the average swordfish weight in the 70s prior to longlining), but that's what we have in the fishery today - thanks to the longliners. I would also love to have a 440-Hemi in my car, instead of the smogged-down 5.7 litre mill. But again, that was then and this is now. Today, the average swordfish here weighs around 60 pounds, with a 150-pound fish considered large. There are still a few big fish caught that push the 300-pound mark. This average weight will increase as time marches on, providing responsible management prevails.

I also stated that so called "recreational" anglers must do their part to protect this fishery. The problem we have with several "recreational" types down here is that they're back-dooring (selling) their swordfish to local restaurants (without permits, mind you). I believe this is wrong. As a true sportsman, you should not sell your catch. Also, I'm against the monthly full moon tournaments they ran here during the summer and fall, where an average field of 100 boats participated. Again, the true sportsman is not setting an example by fielding such an intense, direct effort at this fishery. I believe they should limit swordfish to one per boat per evening, and perhaps charge a kill fee to take one (as long as the money goes into a conservation account). This would help weed-out some of the back-door swordfishing.

We have a great fishery on the rebound here in South Florida, just two years after getting rid of the longliners - and you can too if you rid them from your waters.

My bottom line: Go out and enjoy this great sport, use heavy tackle to "horse" in small fish - to where they retain enough strength to survive when released, and, if you choose to do so, take a legal fish every now and again for the grill. Is this so wrong?

Again, thanks for tuning in.

George Poveromo

PS - Keep an ear down to the ground, as it looks like the longliners are trying to get "experimental" permits to longline once again off South Florida!!

02-11-2003, 11:33 AM	#9
Team Rock On Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 305	Here's an interesting post by Poveromo. Will the swords be in NE next? -----------------------------------------------george poveromo Member posted 02-04-2003 06:14 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mako 231: First, thank you for watching my show. It appears that you may have misunderstood the significance of my swordfish show, and the message I had sent. As a native South Floridian, swordfish is a game fish that's near and dear to my heart. I recall like it was yesterday when a few recreational anglers discovered nighttime swordfishing off our coast, and the big sportsfishery that soon followed. The swordfishing was so outstanding that Miami became arguably the best place in the world to catch this magnificant game fish. Unfortunately, this find only lasted a few short years as the longline fleets moved in. Over the years it became nearly impossible to even get a strike on rod and reel, but we ended up snagging soaking longlines quite frequently. It was a mess, and the longliners decimated this fishery. Finally, longlining was banned from Florida, due to the Florida straits being recognized as a major nursery for swordfish. In just two short years, the fishing has been making a remarkable comeback. Right now, the fishing is so good, that if you don't get at least two shots in a half-evening, you've had a bad night. The recreational fishing for swordfish has re-blossomed about as strong as the fish. My point was to show how the sportsfisherman was robbed of a major big game fishery - by longliners, and how quickly these fish have been rebounding off South Florida due to the longliners leaving the area. THIS SHOULD SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE TO THE REST OF THE SPORTFISHING COMMUNITY AS TO WHY LONGLINING SHOULD BE BANNED OFF THE ENTIRE U.S. COAST - IF NOT WORLDWIDE. As far as that "50" pound fish we killed, the scales actually tipped at 125 pounds. From what I understand, a swordfish reaches sexual maturity at around 70-pounds. So, hopefully, this fish had a spawn or two prior to our boating it. The other two fish we caught were released. You must remember that we're still dealing with a delicious food fish, not too unlike tuna and dolphin, and people will take a fish or two for dinner. Providing it's legal, I have nothing against that. Sure, I would have loved that fish to have been around 200 pounds (the average swordfish weight in the 70s prior to longlining), but that's what we have in the fishery today - thanks to the longliners. I would also love to have a 440-Hemi in my car, instead of the smogged-down 5.7 litre mill. But again, that was then and this is now. Today, the average swordfish here weighs around 60 pounds, with a 150-pound fish considered large. There are still a few big fish caught that push the 300-pound mark. This average weight will increase as time marches on, providing responsible management prevails. I also stated that so called "recreational" anglers must do their part to protect this fishery. The problem we have with several "recreational" types down here is that they're back-dooring (selling) their swordfish to local restaurants (without permits, mind you). I believe this is wrong. As a true sportsman, you should not sell your catch. Also, I'm against the monthly full moon tournaments they ran here during the summer and fall, where an average field of 100 boats participated. Again, the true sportsman is not setting an example by fielding such an intense, direct effort at this fishery. I believe they should limit swordfish to one per boat per evening, and perhaps charge a kill fee to take one (as long as the money goes into a conservation account). This would help weed-out some of the back-door swordfishing. We have a great fishery on the rebound here in South Florida, just two years after getting rid of the longliners - and you can too if you rid them from your waters. My bottom line: Go out and enjoy this great sport, use heavy tackle to "horse" in small fish - to where they retain enough strength to survive when released, and, if you choose to do so, take a legal fish every now and again for the grill. Is this so wrong? Again, thanks for tuning in. George Poveromo PS - Keep an ear down to the ground, as it looks like the longliners are trying to get "experimental" permits to longline once again off South Florida!!