The Coastal Conservation Association has released a "Five Point Plan" containing conservation recommendations for the first federal fishery management plan for dolphin (fish) in the South Atlantic region.

A colorful, acrobatic fighter, dolphin is the most sought-after offshore gamefish on the east coast of Florida and is the backbone of a huge offshore charter, guide and private recreational fishery. Overall, dolphin fishing is a significant part of Florida's FOUR BILLION DOLLAR saltwater recreational fishery - the largest in the United States.

CCA has often been critical of federal fishery management plans which by and large have been recovery plans, not management plans. "In this case; however, we enthusiastically support and applaud the South Atlantic Council's efforts to develop and implement a dolphin management plan before the inevitable overfishing occurs," said Ted Forsgren, Executive Director of CCA Florida. "We are recommending that the council adopt strong regulations that will stop the alarming increase in commercial longline take of dolphin and maintain the historic recreational-nature of the fishery."

Added Forsgren, "Sharks, amberjack, and gag grouper are all examples of predominately recreational fisheries that have been impacted and supplanted by commercial fishers under the direction of federal fishery managers."

In the past few years, following that same trend, a number of commercial longline boats, faced with reduced populations of swordfish and tuna, have begun to directly target dolphin, landing up to 28,000 pounds per trip. In addition, a study by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) has pointed out that a potential exists for overfishing the stocks because the fast-growing species becomes "economically viable" before reaching maturity.

CCA's Five Point Plan and Recommendations for Dolphin, which emphasizes conservation measures that address the major concerns regarding dolphin management, is as follows: