Hi all,
I'm a PhD student in the Fisheries Science Department at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), where my dissertation focuses on both the biological impacts and human dimensions of the recreational bluefin tuna fishery. The former largely concerns a post-release mortality study using pop-up satellite archival tags (when bluefin are caught and released, do they survive?), while the latter involves socioeconomic surveys of both private and for-hire bluefin tuna fishermen to assess motivations, management preferences, and overall valuation of the fishery.
Through the surveys, we hope to gain an understanding of what components of the bluefin tuna fishing experience (including fish size, number of fish hooked, and number of fish kept) are considered most valuable from the perspective of anglers. This information will be useful for finding ways to maximize the socioeconomic benefits of the fishery while maintaining catches at acceptable levels. At the same time, better understanding angler behavior will improve the ability of managers to predict bluefin tuna harvest as regulations or fish availability changes. In time, this knowledge could lead to better management of the recreational sub-quota--for example, regulations that better align with angler preferences.
Prior to rolling out these surveys, I and my co-advisor, marine resource economist Dr. Andrew Scheld, are conducting a series of focus groups up and down the east coast to review survey materials with bluefin tuna anglers and to solicit their thoughts regarding the recreational bluefin fishery and management.
We are looking for a few more attendees for our focus group to be held on Saturday, February 6 from 9 am-12 pm at the TR Hotel in Toms River, NJ. Participants will be compensated for their time. This focus group will be oriented toward folks who recreationally target bluefin tuna on private vessels (not on charters)—either the vessel owners themselves (HMS Angling permit-holders), or those who otherwise fish for bluefin on private boats.
Please let me know if you would be interested in attending by emailing me at
wmgoldsmith@vims.edu. And feel free to send me an email if you have any additional questions about the study.
Thanks so much,
Willy Goldsmith