Comment from Ben Hartig

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Ammendment 18B. This Amendment will limit, for the first time, the number of s/g vessels that use longline gear to target golden tilefish. Bottom longline gear efficiency nessitates regulations that limit the number of vessels participating in that fishery. The intent of the council is to try and extend the golden tilefish fishery season and slow the derby fishery that has resulted in shorter seasons every year for the past 5 years. The amendment also allocates the tilefish quota 75% longline and 25% H&L gear. This allocation will allow the H&L fishery the chance to rebuild to some semblance of it's historical participation and provide fresh golden tilefish to consumers for most if not all of the year The council should review this allocation in two years to see if the H&L fishery is able to catch the allocation. The 500 pound trip limit is high enough for all H&L vessels in the SA to participate in the fishery if they choose. It gives one more option to S/G fishermen who are losing access to other S/G species. I am in favor of all actions contained in the ammendment. It is important to implement the amendment as soon as practicable to insure that a portion of the commercial ACL will be available for the H&L fishery for this season. Thanks, Ben Hartig