Gulf Surface Longline Campaign

The Bottom Line: Coming Together for Bluefin Tuna

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:00:00 GMT

It’s not every day that fishermen and environmentalists agree. But in a significant move, the American Bluefin Tuna Association and the International Game Fish Association are partnering with The Pew Charitable Trusts to protect bluefin tuna, one of the most amazing fish in the sea. By working together, we might be able to help ensure a brighter future for this depleted fish.

Pilot Program Aims to Reduce the Unintentional Bycatch of Bluefin Tuna in the Gulf of Mexico

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 21:30:00 GMT

(New Orleans Times-Picayune) A sustainable seafood luncheon at Gautreau’s restaurant on Monday laid out some of the challenges and possible solutions facing the Gulf of Mexico’s tuna fisheries. The event’s most compelling argument came by plate.

Protecting Bluefin Tuna in the Gulf of Mexico: A Promising Solution to a Decades-Old Problem

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 15:55:00 GMT

Since the 1960s, surface longlines have killed tens of thousands of fish and other animals in the Gulf of Mexico each year, most of them unintentionally. Now more selective alternatives are available. A pilot program is testing greenstick gear and swordfish buoy gear, which should reduce unwanted catch and keep fishermen in business.

Pew Environment Group Infographics Collection

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 16:30:00 GMT

A collection of infographics created by the Pew Environment Group.

The Bottom Line: A Creative Solution to a Persistent Problem

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 20:45:00 GMT

An innovative project in the Gulf of Mexico may finally offer a real solution to a decades-old problem.

Longline Fishing Under Fire in Gulf

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 20:15:00 GMT

(Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat) The federal government is under pressure to ban a commercial fishing method that has inadvertently killed huge numbers of Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico, the only U.S. location where the tuna are known to spawn.

The Latest on a New Bluefin Tuna Rule

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 12:55:00 GMT

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service just released a pre-draft of a new fishing rule that could help shape the fate of western Atlantic bluefin tuna. This is a critical time in the rulemaking process and a critical time for this amazing species.

More Than 180,000 Stakeholders Speak Out for Bluefin Tuna Protections

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:50:00 GMT

The western Atlantic bluefin tuna population hovers at historically low numbers. But despite a ban on directed fishing for bluefin in the Gulf of Mexico—the fish’s only known spawning area—hundreds are killed each year by wasteful fishing practices.

The Bottom Line: Bluefin Tuna Need You Now

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:30:00 GMT

In the Gulf of Mexico, surface longlines intended to catch yellowfin tuna and swordfish indiscriminately catch and kill more than 80 other species of ocean wildlife, including severely depleted western Atlantic bluefin tuna. This species is particularly at risk: Scientific studies have identified it as a distinct population (as compared to eastern Atlantic bluefin) that reproduces only in the Gulf.

Now is the Time to Help Bluefin Tuna in the Gulf of Mexico

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:15:00 GMT

Scroll through our interactive timeline to learn about the history of surface longline fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and potential solutions that would help protect depleted bluefin tuna and other threatened ocean wildlife.

Big Opportunity to Protect a Giant Fish

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:50:00 GMT

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is considering major policy changes for the management of Atlantic bluefin tuna. NOAA should encourage the transition from conventional longlines to more selective gears and prohibit surface longlining year-round in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Bottom Line: Fishing for Giants

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT

Seven years after audiences met a fleet of Alaskan crab fishermen via “Deadliest Catch,” National Geographic Channel premiered a show profiling the men and women who make their living on the ocean. “Wicked Tuna” follows five boats and their crews as they pursue bluefin tuna more than 100 miles from their home port of Gloucester, MA.

Surface Longline Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Surface longlines are wasteful commercial fishing gear that catch and kill depleted ocean wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico. This equipment indiscriminately kills bluefin tuna, sea turtles, sharks, and hard-fighting game fish such as blue marlin. Learn why it’s time to switch gears.

Infographic: Surface Longline Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:10:00 GMT

Surface longlines in the Gulf of Mexico threaten severely depleted and endangered ocean wildlife. Since the 1960s, this fishing equipment has indiscriminately killed tens of thousands of animals. Fortunately, more selective solutions exist. View our infographic to learn more about surface longlines and why it is so important to switch gears in the Gulf of Mexico.

Alternatives to Surface Longlines: Switching Gears in the Gulf of Mexico

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico use surface longlines to catch yellowfin tuna and swordfish. This fishing gear incidentally injures and kills approximately 80 types of marine wildlife including spawning bluefin tuna and endangered sea turtles. Highly selective gears such as green sticks and swordfish buoy gear have been shown to reduce this bycatch while effectively catching yellowfin tuna and swordfish.

Potential Threats to Marine Life from Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:40:00 GMT

For decades, surface longlines posed a threat to ocean wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico. This indiscriminate fishing gear catches and kills approximately 80 species of non-target animals. In 2010, the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history exacerbated the negative environmental impacts of wasteful surface longlines and created its own set of challenges for Gulf wildlife.

A 'Weak' Solution

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:10:00 GMT

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a final rule in April 2011 designed to help protect spawning bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico. This rule requires commercial surface longline fishermen to use an experimental “weak” hook when fishing for yellowfin tuna and swordfish in the Gulf.

Blue Marlin in the Gulf of Mexico: The Facts

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:50:00 GMT

The Atlantic blue marine (Makaira nigricans), one of the largest billfish species in the world, presents a formidable challenge to recreational fishermen.

Swordfish in the Gulf of Mexico: The Facts

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:45:00 GMT

The swordfish (Xiphias gladius) is one of the most powerful fish in the ocean. Elusive and combative, the swordfish is prized by recreational anglers in the United States.

Sea Turtles in the Gulf of Mexico: The Facts

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:45:00 GMT

For a large part of their lives, leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles traverse the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean in search of food. After as many as three decades, they will return to nest on the same Gulf Coast beaches where they were born. Surface longline fishing gear makes that return a dangerous trip.

Sailfish in the Gulf of Mexico: The Facts

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:40:00 GMT

The Atlantic sailfish is one of the most recognizable saltwater game fish in the United States. Graceful and acrobatic, it is prized by recreational anglers for its power and elusiveness. When hooked, sailfish fight vigorously by leaping out of the water and sometimes diving to great depths.

End Wasteful Fishing in the Gulf

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:45:00 GMT

Surface longlines have been used in the Gulf of Mexico since the 1950s to catch yellowfin tuna and swordfish. Unfortunately, this indiscriminate gear also captures and kills approximately 80 types of animals. Write to Administrator Jane Lubchenco and ask NOAA to create a gear transition plan that would phase out this wasteful fishing method while keeping fishermen in business.

Campaign Backgrounder: Switching Gears to Protect Ocean Wildlife

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:35:00 GMT

The Gulf of Mexico provides important habitat for rare and beautiful marine species including Atlantic bluefin tuna, blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, and leatherback sea turtles. Their dependence on the Gulf of Mexico exposes them to face a common threat—surface longline fishing.

The Bottom Line: Shifting Gears in the Gulf

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:20:00 GMT

For decades, fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico have used surface longlines to catch swordfish and yellowfin tuna. These lines stretch an average of 30 miles, dangle hundreds of baited hooks, and can be left in the water for up to 18 hours. This fishing method catches and kills large numbers of rare and endangered ocean wildlife, which are usually thrown overboard dead or dying.

The Bottom Line

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:40:00 GMT

“The Bottom Line,” explores fisheries management issues, while taking on other related subjects to provide a more in-depth look at the issues facing our ocean fish. With this blog, we hope to continue these informative discussions, cut through the rhetoric, and encourage more people to take an interest in ocean fish conservation.

Eco Label Granted for Swordfish Caught Off Florida on Controversial Longlines

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:00:00 GMT

(The Bellingham (WA) Herald) Consumers who buy one company's swordfish caught off eastern Florida will be seeing a blue and white label at the store that assures them the fish was caught with utmost care for life in the Atlantic Ocean.

Overfishing 101: Creative Ways to Protect Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:40:00 GMT

Many people have heard of bluefin tuna, even if they haven’t eaten it. Bluefin, which are among the world’s most remarkable animals, can reach 1,500 pounds, migrate across the Atlantic, dive to depths of more than 3,000 feet and swim at breakneck speeds. They have also been pursued for centuries for their rich, buttery flesh. Traditional bluefin fisheries used to be sustainable, but loosely regulated industrial-scale fishing changed everything for this amazing fish.

Bluefin Tuna Anglers Threatened by Regulations

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 16:00:00 GMT

The crew of the Tammy Rose hustled to put out gear: a spider's web of lines trailing lines, coming off the stern from thousand-dollar rods with ham-sized brass reels. Squid bars that mimicked a panicked school of fish extended out from both sides of the vessel, towed by large outriggers. Captain Eric Stewart hoped that somewhere in the tumult below him there might lurk a bluefin tuna interested enough to pursue his bait. The linebacker-like fish can hit his plastic lures at speeds of up to 50 miles an hour.

Can the Bluefin Bounce Back?

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:20:00 GMT

(Living on Earth) Tracking the bluefin tuna on a tagging expedition, searching for signs of hope for the mysterious fish.

Editorial: A Plea to Aunt Gertie

Tue, 24 May 2011 17:55:00 GMT

(Sport Fishing) Marvel at the recent proposal by NOAA to reduce by 7 percent the quota of bluefin tuna for all categories of users to compensate for the astonishing bluefin bycatch of one category: longline fishermen.

Innocent Bystanders: Bycatch

Wed, 04 May 2011 18:05:00 GMT

A gallery of images showing bycatch caught by longline fishing, nets and other fishing equipment.

Editorial: Bluefin Tuna Catch a (Small) Break

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 13:40:00 GMT

The numbers of endangered bluefin tuna are rapidly dwindling, due to vast overfishing fueled by Japan’s insatiable sushi appetite. The international body set up to conserve these fish has utterly failed to do its job. But a small and clever innovation may slow their decline: special hooks designed to help commercial fishing boats in the Gulf of Mexico avoid catching bluefin accidentally.

U.S. Rule Aimed at Letting Big Tuna Off the Hook

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:33:03 GMT

Federal fisheries officials, after field studies and public debate, have issued a new rule requiring commercial fishing boats deploying long lines of fish hooks in the Gulf of Mexico to use “weak hooks” that hold smaller, abundant species like yellowfin tuna but, in theory, will allow depleted Atlantic bluefin tuna and other rare large species to escape.

Proposed Government Rule Would Penalize Traditional Bluefin Tuna Fishermen

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:42:11 GMT

On March 14, 2011, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a proposed rule that would unfairly reduce the bluefin tuna quota of all U.S. commercial and recreational fishermen to make up for the bluefin tuna caught incidentally by the U.S. surface longline fleet.

Photos: Fishing for Bluefin Tuna

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:47:34 GMT

The following photos of harpooners and recreational anglers fishing for bluefin tuna are available for media use.

Louisiana SeaGrant Surface Longline Fact Sheet

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:50:00 GMT

Swordfish buoy gear and green sticks have been identified by scientific research and anecdotal reports from commercial fishermen as two promising alternatives to surface longlines in the Gulf.

For Whom the Bell Trolls

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 20:35:00 GMT

It’s been said that patience is a virtue. But while patience has served me well on the water, it’s been a challenge when I’m in the boardroom or out talking with policymakers.

Bye-Bye Bycatch

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:40:00 GMT

(Salt Water Sportsman) The oil spill is not the only problem that species in the Gulf of Mexico face. It will take years to figure out what the effects of that will be. But knowing that there have been and will be impacts should be a real impetus to implement some new measures to protect the ocean-roaming fish that spawn in the Gulf. These measures have been discussed for years, and now is the time to act.

Species at Risk: Unintended Consequences of Surface Longline Fishing

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 19:20:00 GMT

Surface longlines intended for yellowfin tuna and swordfish often stretch for 25 miles with hundreds of baited hooks attached. Unfortunately, this indiscriminate fishing gear incidentally catches and kills thousands of other non-targeted animals–including sea turtles and bluefin tuna–that are supposed to be protected in the Gulf of Mexico.

Chasing Ghosts

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 20:45:00 GMT

(Florida Sportsman) For those of us who get our sashimi direct from the source, this year has driven home a hard fact: The availability of large tunas is impacted by factors beyond our control.

Sharks in the Gulf of Mexico: The Facts

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 16:05:00 GMT

Sharks come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some have narrow, pointed noses and powerful fins that propel them to high speeds, while others have a broad, flattened nose that probes the ocean floor. After 400 million years of evolution, there are now more than 350 species of sharks worldwide; at least 24 of these occur in the offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Editorial: Join Effort to Ban Gulf Longlines

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:20:00 GMT

The Pew Environment Group has purchased ads in Florida Sportsman and some other magazines supporting a campaign to end pelagic longlining in the Gulf of Mexico. Several members of the FS forum were quick to criticize FS for allowing Pew to place the ads. One person even went so far as to compare FS to a prostitute. Such accusations are unfounded and those who made them fail to recognize the real problems with longlining that conservation-oriented fishing groups have been pointing out for years.

Pew Opposes Certification Proposal for Surface Longline Fishing

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:20:00 GMT

The Pew Environment Group today criticized a proposal asking the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to certify as sustainable a fishery that threatens vulnerable marine species including bluefin tuna, blue marlin, short-fin mako sharks and loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles.

Gulf Longlines: Time to Go

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 21:05:00 GMT

(Sport Fishing) It's time to end commercial longline fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.

BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Maps

Fri, 21 May 2010 16:50:00 GMT

The Gulf of Mexico is home to many species that are currently at risk due to the oil spill. The following maps overlay the oil slick with the habitats of several of these sensitive marine species.

The Future of Oil and Water

Wed, 19 May 2010 19:40:00 GMT

The explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig brings into sharp focus not only a tragic loss of life but also the fragmented and inadequate way in which we manage and protect the nation's critical marine resources and the fragile ocean environment. Scientifically sound and precautionary polices to reconcile the needs of safety, energy security, sustainable fisheries and environmental protection have become urgent.

BP Oil Spill Threatens Bluefin Tuna Spawning Ground in Gulf of Mexico

Fri, 14 May 2010 17:25:00 GMT

This fact sheet from the Pew Environment Group provides information on the impact that the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is having on the area’s bluefin tuna populations.

Pew Calls for Halt on New Oil Drilling Until Better Standards Are in Place

Tue, 11 May 2010 16:00:00 GMT

Joshua Reichert, managing director of the Pew Environment Group, issued the following statement today in response to this week’s Congressional hearings on the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

Oil Spill in Louisiana

Thu, 06 May 2010 19:15:00 GMT

All depends on the wind. Just as Ireland’s travellers anxiously await news of the shifting winds, so too with the coastal communities of the Gulf of Mexico.

What Wildlife, Ecosystems Could Oil Put at Risk?

Thu, 06 May 2010 14:50:00 GMT

These oceangoing fish have suffered an 80 percent decline in population since the 1970s. Their annual spawning in the Gulf of Mexico — one of their few major breeding areas in the world — is now jeopardized by the oil slick.

Concerns Up and Down the Food Chain

Tue, 04 May 2010 20:50:00 GMT

As the oil spill from the Deepwater Horizon spreads across the Gulf of Mexico, environmentalists and government officials have been working frantically to protect shoreline habitat like this island in the Breton National Wildlife Refuge, eight miles off the coast of Louisiana.

Pew Launches Urgent Effort to Protect Bluefin Tuna in the Gulf of Mexico

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:05:00 GMT

Protecting bluefin tuna in its only known spawning ground in the western Atlantic Ocean has taken on added urgency following last week's rejection of a global trade prohibition for the severely depleted species.

Protect the Bluefin Tuna

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:45:00 GMT

For avid anglers, few things in life can match the thrill of catching a bluefin tuna.

The Pelagic Plague

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:55:00 GMT

(Fly Rod & Reel) No method of commercial fishing is more destructive of marine ecosystems than longlining. On any given day 100 million baited hooks dangle from giant trotlines in all the world's oceans. A single mainline (and each vessel tends many sets) may be 60 miles long and drap two thousand 1,200-foot branch lines. Longlines kill sea turtles, sea birds, marine mammals, sharks, billfish, tunas, mahi—in short, any creature that gets tangled in the cord, snagged by a hook or that eats the squid or fish bait.

Editorial: Tuna's Death Spiral

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:30:00 GMT

The international commission that sets catch limits for tuna and other large migratory fish has failed, once again, to do what is necessary to give the prized bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean a real chance to survive.

Conservation Community Sends a Strong Message to NMFS: 'Protect Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Marlins, and Sailfish.'

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:10:00 GMT

Officials with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) were extremely busy last week, fielding more than 57,000 comments they received opposing a proposal that further incentivizes pelagic longliners to target Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, the fish’s only known western Atlantic spawning area.

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions Description