So far, so good. Reacting to a landslide of opposition from conservationists, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has decided not to allow longline research for the time being off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida. Among those who voiced concerns on the issue were Coastal Conservation Association Florida, The Billfish Foundation, Recreational Fishing Alliance, the South Florida Swordfish Club and hundreds of bluewater fishermen.

The waters in question are touted as important swordfish nursery grounds, teeming with juveniles.

On May 3, NMFS issued a press release stating it has denied the Exempted Fishing Permits that would have permitted longline vessels to operate within closed zones in the Gulf of Mexico and along the East Coast.

We may not be out of the woods yet. NMFS said no exempted fishing permits would be issued until the agency completes an Environmental Impact Statement that “further assesses the impacts associated with fishing in existing pelagic longline closed areas.”

FS