Atlantic Highly Migratory Species: North Atlantic Swordfish, South Atlantic Swordfish, North Atlantic Albacore, and Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Quotas

Earthjustice and the Safina Center support the proposed rule because it aligns with the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Act by requiring that both recreational and commercial fishing mortality be counted toward the bluefin tuna quota. They argue that a previous U.S. delegation letter misinterpreted international recommendations and that failing to account for recreational catch would violate federal law and risk overfishing.

Earthjustice and the Safina Center support the proposed rule because it aligns with the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Act by requiring that both recreational and commercial fishing mortality be counted toward the bluefin tuna quota. They argue that a previous U.S. delegation letter misinterpreted ICCAT recommendations and that failing to count recreational catch would violate federal law and risk overfishing.

The Pew Charitable Trusts and The Ocean Foundation support the proposed rule to implement increased U.S. baseline quotas for Atlantic bluefin tuna and the management procedures for north Atlantic swordfish. They emphasize the importance of adhering to science-based management procedures and maintaining existing baseline quotas for North and South Atlantic swordfish.

An individual is requesting that the government stop fishing activities because they believe it is cruel and causes unnecessary pain to fish. They argue that fish are sentient beings and advocate for the protection of specific species like swordfish and tuna.