from tournament to tournament along the East 

 Coast and even to the Caribbean. Manuel, the 

 Delta Dawn owner, has a house full of marlin 

 trophies, including first place in the 2002 

 White Marlin Open for a 688-pound fish. 



"I go to 10 to 12 marlin tournaments a 

 year in Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, 

 Virginia and South Carolina," says Manuel, 

 president of the Winter Bluefin Association 

 in North Carolina. "This year, I may go to 

 Bermuda. I like the thrill of winning." 



A large crowd usually gathers at billfish 

 tournament weigh-ins. 



Every night, at the White Marlin Open 

 in Ocean City, 2,000 to 6,000 people watch 

 the weigh-ins, says Jim Motsko, president of 

 the White Marlin Open. "It's exciting. Few 

 people ever get to see this kind of fish except 

 at a tournament." 



Billfish tournaments boost the econo- 

 mies in communities where they are held. 



In 1999, Texas A&M University Profes- 

 sor Robert Ditton and North Carolina Sea 

 Grant researchers conducted a survey on the 

 economic impacts of the 1999 Pirates Cove 

 Big Game Tournaments. 



"We found that the tournament gave 

 a significant boost to the Dare County 

 economy," says Thigpen. "North Carolina 

 residents who were not from Dare County and 

 other nonresidents of North Carolina spent 

 more than $2.6 million in direct and indirect 

 expenditures in Dare County." 



As our nation's population grows and 

 coastal tourism increases, it is "imperative 

 that American citizens who fish recreationally 

 partner with NOAA Fisheries and the coastal 

 states to make certain we sustain our valuable 

 fishery resources for the future," Rogers says. 



"By obtaining an angling permit for 

 HMS, reporting landings, and using circle 

 hooks, anglers will help create enhanced 

 fishing opportunities, which will generate 

 greater economic benefits in the long term," he 

 adds. "We want anglers to enjoy their fishing 

 opportunities." 



With those fishing opportunities come 

 conservation responsibilities, Rogers says. 

 "We ask anglers to help us by obtaining the 

 HMS angling permit and reporting HMS 

 landings." E 



GUIDE HIGHLIGHTS SHARKS, 

 TUNAS AND BILLFISH 



Want to identify a bluefin tuna in 

 the water? How about a blue marlin or 

 swordfish? 



The distinguishing characteristics of 

 these fish and other highly migratory species can be found in the new Guide to Sfiarks, Tunas 

 and Billfishes of the U.S. Atlantic & Gulf of Mexico. The result of a partnership between Rhode 

 Island Sea Grant and NOAA Fisheries, the guide features 44 of the sharks, tunas and billfishes 

 commonly found in Atlantic and Gulf waters. 



"We are very proud to be part of this project," says Chris Rogers, chief of NOAA Fisheries' 

 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management. "The guide will help fishermen and fish deal- 

 ers in their efforts to obey the laws, while at the same time supporting conservation efforts." 



Developed for use in the field, the water-resistant guide highlights external features to 

 expedite the identification of these fishes. It provides descriptions of physical features, diagnostic 

 photographs and habitat information to help with species recognition. 



The guide also includes information about reducing the risk of shark attack, as well as 

 procedures for the protection, handling and release of entangled marine mammals and turtles. 



The book is available for $25 from Rhode Island Sea Grant, with discounts for bulk orders. 

 To purchase the book, visit: seagrant.gso.uri.edu, or call 401/874-6842. — A.G. 



NOAA FISHERIES CONTACTS ON HMS TOPICS 



Recreational anglers who target highly migratory species can contact NOAA Fisheries if 

 they have questions on new regulations. 



"We are here to serve you, and it is important that anglers cooperate in return by getting the 

 angling permit and reporting catches," says Chris Rogers of NOAA Fisheries. 



"NOAA Fisheries is working to keep America within its agreed upon international catch 

 quota by requiring private anglers to report their landings," he adds. 



For recreational tuna, swordfish and shark fishing, anglers are allowed to use a rod and reel, 

 which includes downriggers, or a handline. For billfish, only a rod and reel is allowed. 



All blue or white marlin, swordfish or sailfish caught by private anglers in federal waters 

 must be called in to a NOAA Fisheries hotline within 24 hours of landing — if the fish is killed 

 and brought to shore. 



Specific contacts include: 



• In most Atlantic and Gulf states and the U.S. Caribbean, billfish and swordfish landings 

 must be reported within 24 hours by calling 800/894-5528. 



• In Maryland and North Carolina, vessel owners and/or captains should report their 

 recreational billfish landings at state-operated facilities. For landings or additional information in 

 Maryland, call 410/213-1531. In North Carolina, call 800/338-7804. 



• Tournament operators should report all landings for tournament participants. 



• Tuna landings also must be reported. Call 888/872-8862 or go online to 

 www.nmfspermits.com. 



• For more information about NOAA Fisheries' highly migratory species angling permits, 

 call 888/872-8862 or visit: 



www.nmfspermtis.com. 



• For general information about highly migratory species, call 800/894-5528. 



• NOAA Fisheries provides an online guide to help fishermen understand and comply 

 with federal regulations. The guide is available at: 



www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/2003_CompUanceGuide.pdf. 

 Rogers adds that any questions also can be directed to the agency's public affairs office at 

 301/713-2370. -A.G. 



COASTWATCH 



