Sportfishing Vessels Still Clear of Ban

There is considerable concern--and confusion--about the recent closing of all areas just north of Cabo San Lucas to vessels targeting yellowfin tuna.

The action, enacted as part of a resolution drafted by the Inter-America Tropical Tuna Commission, went into effect last week when the 11-member-nation catch reached a quota of 240,000 metric tons of yellowfin, and will stay in effect until the end of the year.

One of the areas closed, above 23-latitude north, is visited heavily by juvenile yellowfin and was made off-limits to commercial seiners and lift-pole bait boats to minimize pressure on them.

Robin Allen, director of the tuna commission, said the resolution is merely a recommendation and it is up to each government to “write up the details” of enforcement.

So far, San Diego’s long-range fleet, which targets yellowfin and other game fish in the same area off Baja California, has not been ordered to stop fishing for yellowfin by the Mexican government, according to landing operators. The sportfishers’ take, although significant, is negligible compared to the commercial haul.

“I would be concerned if it was to shut down, but at this point I’m not overly concerned,” said Paul Morris, general manager of Fisherman’s Landing. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed.”

In mid- or late November, when the quota of 265,000 metric tons is expected to be reached, or on Dec. 2, whichever comes first, the closure will include most of the Eastern Pacific and, again, it will be up to Mexico to decide whether to include U.S.-based long-range sportfishing vessels in the ban.

If this does happen, there will be a 15% incidental catch allowance, so the sport boats will be able to take some yellowfin, but will have to concentrate on other species of tuna along with yellowtail, dorado, wahoo and bottom fish.

“Yellowfin stocks are generally healthy,” Allen said. “But we’d like to give them a chance to recover [from the fishing pressure] and give these small fish a chance to grow. That’s why we have these quotas.”