To: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Association

Asking ABTA to have a Vote on the 2018 Bag limits

Do you want a say in the Upcoming Bluefin Season? Do you Pay ABTA?

Why is this important?

The ABTA has Taken a stance to NOT make a Recommendation on the BAG LIMIT Issue for June 1st. As Powers that Be will not be happy with the outcome of a Majority Vote. Its an Open Access Fishery and it should be regulated for All and not the Few. Last Season it was so critical for us to have a Vote yet this year after an awful and marginally profitable 2017 summer season it is thought to have no vote at all? But Increased Quota.

Why is this?
Fall out from boats that have entered the General Category in recent years may fall back into the Harpoon Category if bag limits are reduced, thus increasing pressure on the quota of the Harpoon Category.

The ABTA is saying that it is best to not make a Recommendation and that regardless if a recommendation was made that the Agency NMFS will not listen to them.

Why did the Agency NMFS listen and put forth the outcome of a Majority Vote last season but allegedly doesn't care this year?

Why might this be?
Could it be that know that by not taking a vote and by not making a bag limit suggestion that the Inner Circle will be able to achieve their Agenda regardless?

By Not Making a recommendation from a majority vote of the permit holders within the fishery the Agency NMFS will default to a 3/4/5 fish bag limit as NMFS are fisheries managers with a job to allow practices and adjustments to make sure the quota gets filled. So that it is viewed that they managed the fishery correctly They are already Paid by our Tax Dollars, They are not concerned with what the fisherman actually make in proceeds from the fishery

Yet Management of the fishery to capitalize on the financial aspect of the fishery as well as achieving the quota is possible and that is what the ABTA is for to protect our fishery, fisherman, resource, and push the fishery so that all that part take in the commercial aspect of the fishery are given the best possible situation to feed their family from an Open Access Commercial Fishery.

We all Pay a portion of our fish to the ABTA, Yet why don't they care what the Majority wants?