Swordfish, prized in upscale markets, can now be caught with deep-set buoy gear.
A new West Coast fishery will take advantage of the deep-diving habits of swordfish to reduce the risk of catching other species. NOAA Fisheries has adopted final regulations for this new fishery under an amendment to the federal Fishery Management Plan for Highly Migratory Species.
The final regulations authorize a deep-set buoy gear fishery for swordfish, one of the most lucrative species on the West Coast. Fishermen have previously targeted swordfish mainly with drift gillnets, but recent federal legislation will phase those out in 5 years. Without other alternatives, only a small harpoon fishery remains to pursue swordfish, despite strong consumer demand and a healthy U.S. West Coast stock…