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Coastal Fisherman Hope to Keep Bluefin Tuna Off Endangered List

September 25, 2010
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The federal government chose to keep the white marlin off the endangered list, though environmentalists say it suffered overfishing and decreasing spawning numbers.
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The federal government chose to keep the white marlin off the endangered list, though environmentalists say it suffered overfishing and decreasing spawning numbers.

By Bryan Russo

Franky Pettolina is a charter boat captain in Ocean City and he believes if the bluefin tuna ends up on the endangered list, it could destroy the entire coastal fishing industry.

Two years ago, a similar petition was filed by environmentalists to put the white marlin on the list, citing the same reasoning as they have for the bluefin tuna: most notably, over fishing and decreasing spawning numbers.

But the federal government opted to leave the marlin off the list, and Pettolina hopes they will come to the same decision with the tuna.

"Two weeks of the year where we have to use circle hooks which we are all doing anyway, now the white marlin stocks are better than ever, and its the same with the bluefin," Pettolina says.

The final decision is expected in late November.

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