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It is now illegal to fish around whales and porpoise

4333 Views 34 Replies 31 Participants Last post by  Vitalsigns
Tuna Trolling and Whales
Recent evidence show that tuna fishing lines, trolled through areas where both tuna and whales are feeding, have hooked the wrong species. The strong lines and sharp hooks, necessary for catching large tuna, can dig into blubber of these unintended targets, possibly causing harm to the whale and is a violation of federal law. All whales, dolphins and porpoises in the northeast region are federally protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and most large whales in the area are further protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Under these Acts, it is illegal to "harass, hunt, capture or kill" any marine mammal. Prohibited conduct includes any "negligent or intentional act which results in the disturbing or molesting of marine mammals." The following operational procedures, located in full at: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/prot_res/mmv/are, intended to avoid harassment and possible injury to large whales commonly seen by vessels engaged in tuna fishing. These guidelines can help protect both you and the whales and keep you from accidentally violating federal law. ALWAYS approach areas of surface fish activity cautiously - marine mammals might be present. NEVER cast your line or set your gear near marine mammals. An increasing number of large whales have been observed with recreational gear attached to them. Prevent this from happening and set and/or troll your gear elsewhere. If a marine mammal approaches your gear, remove it from the water.
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Damn that is an insane rule. I can't how many times porpoise show up and follow us for miles while trolling. What the hell are we supposed to do? Everytime they show up, pick up and run? That is BS
"most large whales in the area are further protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). "

I guess they arent really endangered if there are so many getting hooked that they had to come out with this:huh:
Is it permissable to defend one's self if attacked by a mammal with rabies or such?:rolleyes:;)
If a marine mammal approaches your gear, remove it from the water.
Remove "it" from the water??? What defines "it"?:confused:

I assume "it" is the actual marine mammal?!?!?...not our gear, correct? ;)

I will quit fishing completely before I pull my spread when there is promising life around...that's like taking sand to the beach. YOU DON'T DO IT!

Can you imagine actually cranking the spread in because Flipper or Nemo shows his face somewhere around your baits?

This has got to be a joke of some sort.
The dolphins harass us by chasing bait around the boat all night.

Somebody also needs to tell them it's illegal for them to follow our boats and play in the wake.
No freeking way this is bs
I copied it straight from the NMFS website.

https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/News.asp
someone from noaa should tell them(porpoises) it is illegal to play in the wakes where our ballys are swimming!!! View attachment 24653
if i am not mistaken, this is nothing new, perhaps just a different interpretation, for as long as i can remember you/we have had stay clear of marine mammals
if i am not mistaken, this is nothing new, perhaps just a different interpretation, for as long as i can remember you/we have had stay clear of marine mammals
You are correct. This is nothing new.
Dolphin love us. Bow riding , easy meals, potential TV career .A couple of years back we were fishing out of the Keys trolling up small kingfish and spanish mack.Get hooked up and the dolphins would come up and bite them off right behind the gills, kept realing in heads. Decided time would be better spent in a bar. Right whales versus trolled bally rig? Yeah big concern think all the traffic in and out of NY guess they will have to eliminate ocean frieght.
It gets strange @ the cape off Chatham when you are bouncing spoons and those large RonZ's off of the whales to get the bluefin bite. Just about every whale is dragging a spreader bar or two on their backs as well.....

I have no problem fishing in those conditions but THAT is where the feds will strike first. Four of a Kind.
Will they be putting running lights on these mammals?
we once had a porpoise hit our green machine spread bar set out on the 80s during a bigeye bite. Let me tell you, those things pull harder than a swordfish. Didn't want to lose the spreader, so we sunk two gaffs in the beatch and dragged it thru the transom door and 3 of us beat it silly til we got the speader bar back.


That was a fabrication...we all know we can't have lines in the water if porpoise or whales are around.
we once had a porpoise hit our green machine spread bar set out on the 80s during a bigeye bite. Let me tell you, those things pull harder than a swordfish. Didn't want to lose the spreader, so we sunk two gaffs in the beatch and dragged it thru the transom door and 3 of us beat it silly til we got the speader bar back.
Did it taste like chicken?:D
What will they come up with next? Maybe, there are whales in the ocean, no one can fish there?:(
Running back from th Toms last seaso we ran into this.
Stopped and watched for a liitle then headed home.
We had 4-5 YFT and it was late.
R U kidding me. I wish there was as many tuna and marlin as there are dolphin. My god I don't think I have ever fished and not seen dolphin at least once.
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