Circle Hook Requirement for Tournaments Suspended Until 2008 |
NOAA Fisheries has suspended the mandatory circle hook requirements for participants in Atlantic billfish fishing tournaments through December 31, 2007. The circle hook requirements will be reinstated without change on January 1, 2008. These regulations will require anglers fishing from Highly Migratory Species permitted vessels to use only non-offset circle hooks when deploying natural baits or natural bait/artificial lure combinations while participating in Atlantic billfish tournaments. The temporary suspension is intended to increase post-release survival rates of Atlantic billfish in the long-term by providing an additional phase-in period during which Atlantic billfish tournament anglers can become more proficient with the use of circle hooks and more familiar with their ecological benefits. For more information, read the final rule or contact Ru**********@no**.gov. |
Circle Hook Requirement for Tournaments Suspended Until 2008 |
NOAA Fisheries has suspended the mandatory circle hook requirements for participants in Atlantic billfish fishing tournaments through December 31, 2007. The circle hook requirements will be reinstated without change on January 1, 2008. These regulations will require anglers fishing from Highly Migratory Species permitted vessels to use only non-offset circle hooks when deploying natural baits or natural bait/artificial lure combinations while participating in Atlantic billfish tournaments. The temporary suspension is intended to increase post-release survival rates of Atlantic billfish in the long-term by providing an additional phase-in period during which Atlantic billfish tournament anglers can become more proficient with the use of circle hooks and more familiar with their ecological benefits. For more information, read the final rule or contact Ru**********@no**.gov. |