59th Annual Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament

Buccaneer Cup 59th Annual

Sailfish Release Tournament

Presented by

January 19-22, 2022 January 2022

59th Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Tournament

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Welcome Teams!

he 59th year of the Buccaneer Cup is here and 2022 is underway. With the last few years full of challenge, change and continued uncertainty, it has forced us to rethink and redesign the way we operate in the world, especially how we operate events. Thankfully, we live in an "open" state and can continued to honor the traditions of the Buccaneer Cup that we have grown to love, respect and look forward to year after year.

One thing that has become abundantly clear over the last two years - We need fishing! We need the competition! We need the fresh air, saltwater and camaraderie! And in order to sustain our ever changing industry we need to continue to support the Recreational Fishing Alliance, The Billfish Foundation & the nonprofits that support us! Our committee is committed to doing this and continuing the legacy of the Buccaneer Cup for generations to come.

As a participant, you are not only contributing to one of the oldest and longest running sailfish tournaments but also supporting organizations that are

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committed to the fishing community and the long term conservation of our nation's marine resources. The Buccaneer Cup is produced by The Fisheries Conservation Trust, a 501(c)3 that is governed and managed by the RFA. Proceeds from the Buc Cup Tournament are used to support both the Recreational Fishing Alliance and The Billfish Foundation in their efforts to ensure the future of this sport and the industry we love.

I am excited to have you join us this year to help support these organizations that do so much for our recreational fishing rights and the health of our fisheries.

My direct contact is listed below, please feel free to reach out or call with any questions. We thank you for your support. And, good luck!

Courtney Bowden Courtney Bowden, Director Buccaneer Cup Tournament 561-909-7868

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Buccaneer Cup 59th Annual

Featured Artist

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Steve is as at home in the cockpit as he is at his easel where he creates intriguing artworks from his tournament experiences.

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Steve recently entered into a partnership with Cape Fear Distillery and Winery and one of their first projects, Game Fish Vodka, it's selling extremely well. According to Steve, “It is outperforming everyone’s wildest expectations. Gamefish Vodka is an official sponsor of the 59th Buccaneer Cup and Southern Eagle, the distributor in Florida, will be at the captains meeting giving a complimentary bottle of my signature spirits to all registered boats!”

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Buccaneer Cup 59th Annual

Sailfish Release Tournament

2022 Tournament Rules & Scoring

GENERAL INFORMATION 1. Captain’s Meeting: January 19, 2022 Viking Service Center, Riviera Beach, FL 33404 (Registration/Calcutta / Entry 6 to 9 PM)

THROUGH ANY INLET. THERE IS NO SPECIFIC DEPARTURE TIME. 6. Fishing Days: All teams are required to notify the Radio Committee that they intend to fish on a given fishing day and which type of bait they intend to use prior to setting lines.

Awards Dinner: January 22, 2022 The Sailfish Club, 1338N. Lake Way, Palm Beach 7. Boats must fish 2 full days for tournaIsland, FL 33480 (NOT Sailfish Mariment to be official. na). Teams are required to RSVP for the awards dinner no later than Friday (lines out).

Except for winning teams.

2. Fishing Days: January 20, 21 & 22, 2022. Teams choose 2 out of the 3 days to fish. Fishing days must be announced prior to lines in or the day will be considered a lay day. Teams must fish a total of 2 days to qualify, lines in to lines out.

3. Fishing Hours: Lines in 8:00 AM. Lines out 3:30 PM

FISHING REGULATIONS

8. I.G.F.A. Rules apply except as follows.

9. Only non-offset circle hooks and maximum manufacturer stated 20-lb. test line may be used.

10. The length of the leader may not exceed 15 feet. The combined length of the double line and the leader may not exceed 20 feet.

4. Boundaries: From 27.30.00 latitude (Ft. 11. Live or dead baits may be used, but onPierce Inlet area) to 26.02.00 latitude (Ft. ly one type of bait is permitted in the water Lauderdale Inlet area) and no further offat any one time. Teams are required to deshore than 079.45 longitude. clare which type of bait they will use on 5. BOATS MAY LEAVE OR ENTER each fishing day. If a team decides to

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change from live to dead baits or dead to live baits while fishing, the team must notify the Radio Committee. All lines must be out of the water prior to a bait change. A bait change cannot take place during a hook-up. Following a team giving notification to the Radio Committee of a bait type change, no fish may be recorded for a period of 5 minutes for that team.

12. Chumming of any kind, including with live bait, is prohibited.

correlating catch card for that day. Catch release cards must be submitted by text photo to Tournament Director, Courtney Bowden 561-909-7868 cell by 7pm as well.

19. Video must clearly capture the species of fish during the fight and the release of each fish. Angler fighting the fish must also be identified on video. Failure to qualify species and release of fish will result in disqualification of fish.

20. Any question or concern regarding fish 13. No more than six rods are permitted in verification will be determined by the Videthe water at any time. This includes rods o/Rules Committee alone. Polygraph will being used to catch bait. be administered to the winning team in 14. Live Bait: No more than two kites may- the event there is a discrepancy with probe used and artificial or dead bait dredges test. or teasers are permitted. Dead Bait: No 21. To qualify for points each release must more than two dredges maybe used and be called in to the Tournament Commitartificial or dead bait surface teasers and tee including the boat name/number, type daisy chains are permitted. of bait and angler's full name immediately

by VHF radio (channel 79) or cell phone 15. Live bait teasers are prohibited. and it is acknowledged with an assigned 16. Passing the rod after hookup (hook catch number and official time of release. and hand) is permitted by a non-registered The time, catch number and angler’s full angler to a registered angler only once per name must be entered for each release on fish. The pass must occur as close to imthe boat’s catch log. Hookups 15 minutes mediately after hookup as possible and as prior to the end of fishing must be called soon as the line is tight. in for a release after lines out to qualify.

CATCH VALIDATION 17. The Buccaneer Cup will utilize video catch verification on all participating boats.

Each team will be prompted to show a phone or GPS with date and time as well as repeating the verification “word of the day” which will be announced each morning prior to lines in.

18. Buc Cup Tournament committee will utilize video catch/ release verification for all participating boats. Every boat must supply their release footage at the end of each fishing day upon check in. Release videos are required to be uploaded to the Buc Cup (Reel Time App) no later than 7pm. Or SD cards dropped at the Buccaneer Marina weigh station by 6pm at latest. NO VIDEO = NO FISH. The video must match the date / time stamp on the

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22. A release is official when the leader is touched by the mate, the leader is wound inside the rod tip or the cork on a live bait rod touches the rod tip.

23. Your entry into the Buccaneer Cup implies expressed approval that you and all anglers and crew members will submit to a polygraph test if requested by the rules committee. Failure to do will result in disqualification. A certified polygraph examiner will be on site should such services be required.

24. Meat Fish Validation: Weigh station will be held at The Buccaneer Marina each day from 3:30p-5:30pm – The T Head will be available for teams to pull in and weigh.

No mutilated fish will be weighed. Species include, Kingfish, Dolphin, Wahoo, Cobia, Tuna. Heaviest overall will qualify for the "Walter Johnson" Meat Fish Trophy.

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POINT STRUCTURE & SCORING

limited to acts of nature, war, national security, Covid-19, vessel malfunctions or 25. Release points will be awarded as fol- travel restrictions. Calcutta fees will be relows: turned (minus the % for cc service fee) given a team is unable to compete.

200 points for sailfish on live bait.

32. Hold Harmless – By entering the tournament all registered anglers and non-registered 400 points for marlin on either bait. occupants of their boats enter and participate 26. In case of a tie the winner will be deter- in this tournament voluntarily at their own risk. In consideration for the tournament’s acmined by which boat/angler reaches the ceptance of his or her entry, each angler, for number of points that resulted in the tie his or her heirs, executors, and administrafirst by time. tors, agrees to release, hold harmless and in27. Tagging award: The team with the demnify the Tournament (Buccaneer Cup Sailmost successfully deployed billfish tags via fish Tournament / Contact Courtney ConsultTBF will be awarded a Buccaneer Cup. ing, LLC / Recreational Fishing Alliance.), its Teams must follow guidelines outlined by officers, managers, directors, agents, sponTBF while tagging and must mark the sors, donors, the city and county where the “Tagged” box on each release catch sheet event is held, and all other persons connected to qualify. Tags will be verified via video val- directly or indirectly with the operation of the idation outlined above. tournament, from and against any and all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs, fees 28. Protests must be submitted to the or expenses which he or she may have against Rules Committee in writing accompanied by a nonrefundable $500 filing fee no later any above-described party, or which his or her captains, crew members, family members, than 5:00 PM on the fishing day in quescompanions or nonregistered occupants of tion. In all cases the decision of the Rules their boat may have, arising out of or in any Committee is final. way connected with his or her participation in Prizes: Prizes are awarded to Top Overall this tournament, including any injury or death Boat · Top Live Bait Boat · Top Dead Bait suffered by any registered angler, boat capBoat · Top Captain · Top Angler · Top Lady tains, crew members, family members, comAngler · Top Junior Angler · Heaviest Meat panions or other occupants of any boat, and Fish · First and Last Fish of the Tournament including any damage to vessels and equip· Top Tagging Team · (+additional Calcutta ment, which occurs during or in conjunction awards). with the event. Each Angler understands and agrees that this release specifically includes and waives any claims based on libel, slander, negligence, action or inaction of any aboveGENERAL REQUIREMENTS named party.

29. Boats and anglers must comply with all 33. Calcutta: Will be available the week of state and federal fishing regulations and licensing requirements. Failure to do so the Tournament until close of the Captains may result in disqualification. All boats Meeting, Jan. 19. Cash, Check, CC are acmust carry appropriate liability insurance. cepted. For wire instructions please email: 30. All boats must be a minimum of 27 feet Director@BuccaneerCup.com (please note, LOA. The final determination of a boat’s eli- all Calcutta entries and payment must be gibility will be at the discretion of the Rules submitted in writing and signed for by the Committee. team member paying).

31. Refunds: No refunds for entry fees will be given for any reason including, but not 300 point for sailfish on dead bait.

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The 58th Buccaneer Cup Play by Play

COVID Throws the BUC a Curve Ball—Bowden Hits It Out of the Park!

The

58th Annual Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Tournament was held January 20-23, 2021 out of Palm Beach, Fl. A total of 62 sailfish were released, The prize, a purse in excess of $250,000, the prestigious and beautiful Buccaneer Cup trophies for the top three boats and anglers plus bragging rights for placing in one of the oldest and most enduring billfish tournaments in the world. Add to that the knowledge that the tournament proceeds benefit the Recreational Fishing Alliance and The Billfish Foundation, makes the event all that more important. Teams fish a format giving them the choice to fish any two out of three possible days. With a cold front pushing through just before the tournament began, teams were

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hopeful for steady fishing. Although slow conditions put a damper on day two a few teams were able to slide into the winning spots by Saturday.

The tournament opened with the captains meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 20 held outdoors at The Viking Service Center along with delicious food trucks, bar and beer in separate spaces to create a “physically distant” environment. The meeting was sponsored by Yamaha, the Viking Yacht Company and HMY Yacht Sales. Along with MacGregor Yachts, Sportfish Outfitters, Downey Yachts.

Robert “Fly” Navarro emceed the event, with his signature electric energy. The meeting included raffle items provided by the long list of tournament sponsors, featuring: Chance custom rods, Engel Coolers filled with goodies,

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Costa del Mar sunglasses, lures, AFTCO, HiLiner Offshore Tackle, Grand Slam Sport Fishing, Avid sportswear, Outrigger Yacht Products, Kohler, Kraft Power and Mustad to name a few.

Courtney Bowden, currently in her eighth year as director of the Buc Cup, was complimented for running one of the best-organized and classiest billfish tournaments in the industry. Especially given the curve ball Covid19 threw in 2020. Bowden explained, “planning an “in person” event was tricky, and all guidelines and safety measures were followed to ensure all teams were comfortable. We did our best to create an environment that was both “physically distant and safe” while maintaining the fun and camaraderie the tournament is known for. Along with her team of volunteers and committee members including staff from the RFA and TBF, she has made the Buc one of the most exciting and talked about tournaments of the season in South Florida.

“We had a phenomenal group of competitors and teams this year! History was made, it’s not every day you get to award trophies to Michael Jordan’s team – it was an exciting experience. And, although fishing was slow you certainly won’t find any other tournament having this much fun on the radio” – it’s an inside joke only for our teams to enjoy!

– “If you know, you know” said Bowden.

To add to the excitement, the Buccaneer Marina generously donated the use of their helicopter and pilot for the official photographer, Steve Momot of @360fishingnation to take aerial photos of the fleet throughout the week!

For the awards, given the restrictions of the time, only the winning teams and sponsors were invited to The Sailfish Club of Florida on Palm Beach Island, Saturday Jan. 23 to receive their awards and celebrate with a full surf and turf experience that the historical club is known for, seating guests distanced by team to ensure safety for all in attendance.

A fleet of 38 boats fished two of the three And hosting the cocktail reception al fresco, competition days with the majority of the on the Club lawn was the perfect place to take fleet deciding to fish on day three. (Saturday) in the Palm Beach sunset.

Tournament Director (Bowden) wrote; “This year each day was a wild card. And we never knew who would pull into the lead. Would it be a “live bait day or dead bait” is always the question in this tournament, which makes it all the more exciting. Team Catch 23 slayed day one with consistent releases on live bait allowing them to hold strong and have an advantage going in to day three against some of the previous Buc Cup title holders, Team De~Bait~Able and “Sandman”. Ultimately they were able to stay in the running and pulled off a 1st place win for Mr. Jordan and his team, led by Capt. Stetson Turney.

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In addition to the traditional Sailfish Club dining experience the Tournament and The Buccaneer Marina hosted food trucks outside of the Marina for all teams to enjoy since only the winning teams were allowed to attend the awards ceremony. Guests were able to tour the current renovations of the Buccaneer Marina facilities and witness the amazing progress being made as the historic restaurant and marina is being restored to its memorable glory days! The relationship between the Buccaneer Marina and the Buccaneer Cup is especially strong and the tournament looks forward to being able to host future events at it’s home Marina.

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See Who Else Took Home Trophies and Cash in the 58th Buccaneer Cup

Another day, another cigar. Jordan and company fished hard to come away as the top boat in the 58th Buccaneer Cup. 22

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Team Catch 23 won the coveted Buccaneer Cup Top Boat trophy, Top Captain, and a pile of tournament cash totaling over $100,000 went to team Sandman, which pocketed $131,950 total winnings.

Long time Buc contestants on the De-Bait-Able took the 2nd Place Boat trophy and a chunky Calcutta check in the amount of $44,640.

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Perennial top dead bait boat, Lo Que Sea, came through again this year winning the top dead bait prize and numerous Calcutta cash awards.

Paul Robertson and his Top Lady Angler daughter, Danielle of Team Fishing for Muscular Dystrophy, also had some Calcutta winnings to top of their Buc experience.

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Top Boats Most Release Points Overall 1st Place — Catch 23 2nd Place— De-Bait-Able 3rd Place—Sandman Top Boat Dead Bait —Lo Que Sea—$10,000 Bonus Award Top Boat Live Bait — Catch 23—$10,000 Bonus Award Top Angler—Alex Castellanos —Team Sandman Top Lady Angler— Danielle Robinson —Team FFMD Top Junior Angler—Nick Haus —Team Touch of Gray

Walter Johnson Meat Fish Trophy —Team Chop It Up

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Feb. 16 - 20, 2021

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Buccaneer Cup Presenting Sponsor

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Corporate Sponsors

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Seen Around the

Buccaneer Cup 59th 59th Annual Annual

Sailfish Release Tournament Images by

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A Proud Sponsor of the

59th Annual Buccaneer Cup

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RFA Initiative:

Giant Wind Turbines— Coming to Offshore Fishing Grounds Near Your ALERT: RFA OPPOSED TO SELLOFF OF 480,000 ACRES OF OCEANIC RESOURCES

In case you haven’t been paying attention, Federal and State governments have been busy shoving massive offshore windfarm development down the throats of unwary citizens hoping that under the guise of “clean energy” they can pull off a multi-billion dollar boondoggle. In doing so, they are sidestepping decades of conservation work aimed at building sustainable fisheries and protecting endangered marine mammals, while ignoring the fact that this will create a hazard to navigation on a gigantic scale. Imagine a few years from today having to dodge hundreds of the largest wind turbines ever devised with blades that stretch a thousand feet into the air connected by thousands of miles of underwater cables littering the seafloor pumping out electromagnetic waves into the surrounding waters. What could possibly go wrong? Plenty can and will while this insane scheme drives up electric rates and special interests pocket the money. For us, the impact on our fishing grounds is unimaginable. If you haven’t joined our growing chorus of concerned fishermen and environmentalists who are finally awakening to the negative aspects of offshore wind farms, please get involved before it’s too late. This is insanity!

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NEW GRETNA: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced today that they will hold a wind auction next month for more than 480,000 acres offshore New York and New Jersey, in the area known as the New York Bight.

For perspective, this is an area 2/3 the size of Yosemite National Park or 5 times the size of the city of Philadelphia.

The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) is fundamentally opposed to the selloff of our oceanic resources. Not only do these proposed wind farms pose threats to navigation for mariners, but they also have untold effects on marine life and the people who make their living from the sea, as well as the 1.5 million saltwater anglers who fish New York and New Jersey. The recreational fishing community's concerns have continually been pushed aside and today’s announcement is another example.

In 2018 (the last year we have data for*), NY & NJ recreational saltwater fishing generated over $3 billion in sales impacts, $1.7 billion in valueadded, and supported 2.7 million jobs in the regional marine fishing sector and across the broader economy. Wind farms have the potential to disrupt the very fisheries that drive this industry and economic output. In addition to creating an unprecedented navigational hazard, the impacts to offshore wind will be felt not just within the lease area boundaries but along the beaches and bays of coastal states as migration patterns of important fish stocks are altered or disrupted.

Those impacts will mean lost jobs for many who

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make their living from recreational fishing– from the guy who sells tackle to the boat builder to the charter boat captain.

RFA questions why BOEM would proceed with additional lease area auctions while we are still working to get a handle on how the current 15 leases areas will impact marine fisheries, fish habitat, ocean currents, and safety at sea. With the increased navigational risks to fish in or sail through the 480,000 acres with its exclusionary zones during construction and around the substations, many fishermen may opt to avoid the area altogether.

And there has been far too little scientific research on the potential of wind farms to degrade the marine environment and alter the migratory paths of crucial fisheries. Seabed disturbances from construction will impact many species’ food sources. Saltwater anglers can’t fish if there are no fish.

The government sees wind farms as a political win for “green energy”. The saltwater fishing community sees lost jobs, a lost way of life, and a looming environmental catastrophe. *Source: NOAA Fisheries Economics of the United States, 2018 About the Recreational Fishing Alliance: Incorporated in 1996 as a 501(c)(4) national, grassroots political action organization, the RFA’s mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat, and tackle industry jobs and ensure the long-term sustainability of U.S. saltwater fisheries.”

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Shark Depredation A Growing Problem for All Anglers

by Ellen Peel, President

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he Billfish Foundation (TBF) primarily focuses on billfish and other highly migratory species, including swordfish and tunas. Sharks do not fall within our primary mission, however the current excessive shark depredation demands that TBF address the problem, otherwise billfish and many other species being killed by sharks, recreational fishing opportunities, and related businesses will continue to be harmed. Shark predation is out of control and the NMFS has no constructive plan to check it. In no way does TBF condone the finning of live sharks, it is a hideous practice that must be stopped.

Balance between shark conservation, which has been hugely successful, and management of fisheries, the act of fishing by people, which supports jobs, markets, experiences and economics is needed. Balance is lacking in U.S. Atlantic shark management.

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Shark Depredation Those fishing know that shark depredation, the taking of angler-hooked fish from all platforms, is occurring at unseen rates and damages gear, ruins fishing experiences and negatively impacts economic returns. Crews share it is no longer safe to swim between boats, as sometimes needed to help with a problem on a companion vessel. The only way shark depredation will lessen is for fewer sharks to remain in the water, which a resurgence of a profitable bottom longline shark fishery and market could facilitate.

Federal Solutions to Shark Depredation

In the NOAA/NMFS’ document, SHARE, which reviewed its Atlantic shark management, 3 solutions are offered, all considered essential, to better manage sharks, including addressing shark depredation: (1) schedule shark identification workshops for captains and anglers, (2) share

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to redirect fishing effort to species not overfished, this is unfortunately a problem. Revitalizing the shark fishery is essential to help alleviate shark depredation.

Shark Finning Bans Federal banning of finning of live sharks was important and has huge public support, including that from TBF. The bans collapsed the shark market because fins were the most lucrative product sold ($11.20 per pound). Harvesters then left the fishery. Dealers became uncertain what they could or should sell for even with fins removed from dead sharks remaining legal, public perception would not likely distinguish the fin source. Prices paid for shark products plummeted, all leading to excessive numbers of sharks remaining in the water depredating recreationally hooked fish. NOAA numbers from 2020 provide the value of the shark fishery is $2.28 million for landing 2.2 million sharks. Those economic numbers do not reflect successful management of the fishery, which includes jobs, people, economics and experiences. Some states followed the federal finning ban by implementing their own. Texas went further and also banned the possession of fins, even though the removal of fins from a dead shark remains legal. Pending federal legislation proposes to prohibit all sales of fins, even when legally obtained.

educational material on how to avoid sharks while fishing – this would be an interesting read, and (3) establishing a recreational shark fishing quota that counts landed shark, released dead and live sharks and, factors in a post-release mortality percentage - this sounds punitive.

These solutions offer no help; they merely redirect management’s energy to “busytype work.” The intent is honorable, but comes mostly from those who have little to no fishing experience and do not understand fish or fishing dynamics on the water. Rather than spend a lot of money for contractors to research how to implement the three options, funds might be better used to assess how to increase legal landings of sharks to save that fishery and/or Because federal law requires an annual

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the science that is available. Stock assessments provide the foundation for fishery management decisions. The assessment methodology and processes (SEDAR) used for Atlantic large coastal and small coastal sharks continue to generate questions about data accuracy and methodologies. Perfection cannot be achieved in assessing numbers of wild animals moving across large expanses of ocean water, but TBF expects the highest standards, methodologies and expertise be used for subsequent decisions impact not only the species, but also people, experiences, jobs and economies. Government funds to improve stock assessment methodologies and processing should be a priority for sharks and all marine fish.

Recreational Shark Fishery report be sent to Congress from the federal agencies on the progress to stop shark finning and conservation accomplishments, it is our belief that the requirement elevated sharks to a higher priority with the federal staff members. This is clear in the fishery management plan for HMS where 7 out of 13 completed plan amendments and an 8th one in draft are for Atlantic sharks.

Science – Shark Assessments Questioned

In estimating the number of sharks caught by anglers, the government includes in the “total catch”, the number of landed sharks kept, landed sharks discarded dead and landed sharks released alive. Including live releases implies agency staff seem to speculate that angler-released sharks die.

We do not accept that speculation as the truth. If a post-release mortality percentage is included, as proposed by the agency, anglers may soon not be able to catch sharks, almost treating all sharks as if listed under the Endangered Species List.

The agency proclaims that its manageThe U.S. management of Atlantic sharks ment is based on the “best available scineeds balancing. Change is needed, help ence,” which does not mean necessarily TBF bring about change! the most accurate science, often it means

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Quit GuessingDownload the App Keep up with free live scoring on your smart phone, tablet or computer with Reel Time Apps!

The Buccaneer Cup provides FREE Reel Time Scoring Apps to contestants and anyone else who wants to keep up with the action as it happens.

For desktop web coverage or to learn more about how the phone apps work go to www.reeltimeapps.com

Est. 1963

Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament Thank you for fishing with us.

Hope to see you again next year!

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