FISHING FOR SEALS AND LONGLINING FOR PENGUINS

FISHING FOR SEALS AND LONGLINING FOR PENGUINS.

As an avid fisherman, I would like to comment on the pending-record item regarding Mervin Surmae of Cape Town, South Africa, catching and submitting for all-tackle record consideration his 320-pound male African fur seal. Wow! What’s next? Longlining for penguins? Why don’t we just call PETA collect? What are you people at IGFA thinking, as you wallow in your pomposity and self-importance? Do you actually believe IGFA can sell the “… benefits the scientific knowledge would provide” spin? Are you that insensitive as to how the general population, let alone true fishermen and women, will perceive this reckless and ludicrous consideration? The answers are no, no, duh, I dunno, maybe and yes. E.J. Biernesser Virginia (via fax).



As you know, IGFA keeps records for line classes up to 130-pound test. However, not all our line-class species are eligible for heavy tackle. In fact, the maximum allowable line class for a given species is generally based on the maximum reported weight of that species. For example, fish that can grow to weigh more than 80 pounds are eligible for 130-pound tackle. All the species mentioned in your letter can exceed 80 pounds in weight: The men’s 130-pound line-class records, respectively, for almaco jack, gag grouper and roosterfish are 105 pounds 13 ounces, 74 pounds 12 ounces, and 100 pounds. IGFA does not require catches to be of a certain weight to qualify for vacant line-class records; this obviously gives anglers more opportunities to apply for records. From time to time, this results in anglers submitting very small fish, regardless of the line weight used. However, time has shown that this actually helps inspire anglers to apply for larger records when they realize, “Man, I can