The alternative to provide for closed-areas goes too far when it proposes banning the landings of billfish. The suggestion in the plan that no fishing areas prevent all harvest misses the point. This is the only method necessary to control mortality. This concept of imposing requirements on recreational fishermen because there are requirements on commercial fishermen in the same area turns the concept of fairness on its head. Being fair doesn't mean that the regulations for different sectors has to be the same.
Regulations have to bear some reasonable relation to the objective of the plan.
This provision does not and therefor should be discarded. Rebuilding Swordfish, like all of the HMS species, cannot be rebuilt without some' international cooperation. CCA favors a clear statement of objectives and measures for international rebuilding of swordfish. New entrants to the fishery should be prevented in the short run. As the fishery recovers, new country entrants should be given some proportional share of the increased quota.