The founders of PTV believe that the methods used widely by the commercial fishing industry tend to accelerate the decline of fish stocks. The purse-seine nets and longlines widely used by commercial vessels indiscriminately catch juveniles, non-targeted fish species (bycatch) and marine mammals, which often die before they can be released. Commercial boats are pressed to use such techniques to maximize their catch rate and remain competitive, mitigated only by government regulations which are difficult to apply internationally. This has prompted reactions by many environmentalist groups to try to close many areas from all fishing, including sportfishing.

In contrast, sportfishing, properly practiced, puts relatively little pressure on fish stocks. Anglers can still enjoy their sport while observing catch limits and releasing non-targeted and undersized fish. Yet many environmentalist groups do not recognize this key difference and continue to threaten closures of more and more sportfishing venues.

PTV intends to demonstrate that by employing the best practices of sportfishing, certain highly-valued species can be brought to market in a way that won't threaten their sustainability. At the same time, PTV is pioneering a new way for dedicated sport fishermen to practice their sport at a time when traditional alternatives (charters) are becoming more and more limited.

The single most effective measure to improve sustainability is to take only the largest of the targeted species and continually release all fish below an established weight class. For example, PTV only targets the big tuna over 100 lbs, releasing the smaller ones. These large adults are past their prime reproductive years, yet they are the most highly prized in the marketplace. This leaves the majority of the actively spawning, smaller adults intact to breed.

It is our hope that by successfully demonstrating the viability of these environmentally preferred practices for catching and bringing these fish to market, the methods we endorse will gradually displace the more destructive commercial fishing techniques employed today. Our vision is that it will be the conscientious and dedicated sport fishermen that will lead the way.

Is this sportfishing or commercial fishing?

What you will experience as a member aboard PTV is definitely sportfishing — at its best. You'll be hooking up giant tuna, billfish and other species using conventional rod and reel, sometimes with downriggers or with kites, either from one of our four 24' fishing skiffs or from the deck of the mother ship. When you haul in a trophy fish, PTV will weigh it and document it to qualify you for an IGFA sportfishing record.

While aboard the mother ship, you'll enjoy spacious air-conditioned staterooms with comfortable beds and semi-private heads with showers, plus full galley, lounge and amenities more akin to a cruise ship than your typical sportfishing charter boat. You're aboard PTV to enjoy sportfishing, not to go to work as a commercial fisherman. The difference is that, instead of trying to figure out what you're going to do with the several hundred pounds of fish you caught, PTV sells the fish commercially to pay for the boat expenses and make a profit for our members. So you get to continue to go sportfishing for free instead of paying charter fees trip after trip. Of course, you can still choose to keep any of the fish you catch for personal consumption.

How does fishing with PTV differ from long range charters?

With a sportfishing charter operating in the mainland United States, none of the fish caught is permitted to be sold. All of the operating expenses and business profits of a charter operation are derived from the charter fees you pay each time you go fishing. In contrast, PTV operates as a commercial fishing business comprised of members who engage in sportfishing for their catch. Its business operations are self-sustaining, and profits above operating expenses are returned to its members as dividends. In that respect, PTV operates more like a cooperative; there is no separate business entity making profits from your fishing trips — we members are the business.

Charter boats typically operate out of a single port where there is a sufficient concentration of sportfishing customers. Consequently, the fishing grounds targeted by the most popular sportfishing area, San Diego, California, tend to get fished out as they get continually revisited. More and more of these very popular areas, such as the Revillagigedo Islands off Baja California, Mexico, are being closed to sportfishing charters. PTV, however, has an arrangement with the Mexican government to operate in those waters, owing to its environmentally responsible methods. PTV shifts its operation between Mexico, Hawaii and the Marshall Islands to take advantage of the prime tuna fishing seasons. So, much of the time, PTV operates in waters that are either inaccessible or unfrequented by the typical long range charter. That's where the big ones are still found!

How else does PTV bring in revenues?

A vessel the size of our mother ship has plenty of storage area available for cargo. During its seasonal voyages between Mexico, Marshall Islands and Hawaii, PTV carries cargo to augment its commercial fish sales revenues. These additional profits are also distributed as part of members' dividends.

In addition to the member sport fishermen, some of PTV's hired crew also fish to supplement our total catch, provided it does not interfere with members' fishing activities. The fishing crew members also employ methods that allow the taking of only the large individual fish. Again, no nets or longlines are ever used aboard PTV.

Please continue reading about the Pacific Tuna Ventures Operations .