Comment from joan milford

Dear sir, A year-round prohibition on surface longlines in the Gulf of Mexico is the only way to provide effective long-term protection from indiscriminate fishing gear. Alternative gear is available for fishermen to continue to catch targeted species without harming other wildlife. NMFS should facilitate the transition away from longlines and toward more selective fishing gear. I urge you to protect the wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico from longlines. Thank you, Joan Milford