Billfish Sample Clauses

Billfish. There were 16 variables included in the survey related to the incidental catch of billfish (Figures 22 and 23), and 4 additional variables relating to incidental catch of swordfish (Figure 23). Variables included: the disposition of the fish when caught; was it retained in whole or in part; was it damaged and, if so, what type of damage; were tags present; were tags attached to the billfish upon released; were biological samples collected; were ripe running eggs collected; was sex determined; was a photograph taken to document species identification or damage; and were various measurements made (eye to fork length, cleithrum to keel, half girth, lower jaw to for length, pectoral to fork length, and other measurements). Of these variables, several were considered a high priority for data collection, including: sex, whether a tag was present, and whether a photograph was taken (Figure 22), and the lower jaw to fork length (Figure 23). For swordfish, collection of the anal fin ray was considered a high priority (Figure 23). Only responses from the 9 data users that work with these animals were included in analyses, and only responses provided by programs observing pelagic fisheries were include (n=12). These variables were not discussed in any detail at the workshop due to time constraints, but are included here for reference purposes. Billfish Variables (Part 1) 100% 67% 67% 75% 67% 67% 50% 50% 75% 50% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% N/A or Blank Not Important Optimal Preferred Critical 30% 20% 10% Disposition of fish when caught Retention (all or part) Damaged? Type of damage Tag present Tags attached - live releases Biological specimen collected? Sex (Male/Female) Photo - ID or damage documentation 0% Figure 22: Ranking by only those data user respondents that use data on billfish (n=9) of the relative importance of collecting the variables pertaining to incidental catch of billfish included in the survey (see also Figure 23). The 50% line is provided as a reference point to indicate whether a majority of data users ranked each variable as a high priority for data collection. Along the top is the % of observer program respondents from pelagic fisheries only (n=12) that currently collect each of the variables. Billfish Variables (2) ALL BILLFISH SWORDFISH 100% 50% 42% 17% 17% 58% 25% 25% 17% 33% 25% 33% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% N/A or Blank Not Important Optimal Preferred Critical 20% 10% Eye to fork length (EFL) Cleithrum to keel (CKL) Half girth (HG) Collect r...

Billfish. In 2004, the total catch of billfish in the WCPFC area was just over 51,000 xxxxxx, comprising swordfish (42%), blue marxxx (02%), black marlin (6%) and striped marlin (10%). While this total was a 6% decline over the previous year, it remained somewhat higher than the figures recorded for 2000 to 2003 (table 18). The South-West Pacific Swordfish fishery has undergone a number of substantial changes over the last decade. The swordfish catch (in numbers) has been almost double the previous 25 year period. There have been large increases in the catches made by Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Island Nation boats, and declines in the Japanese catch. The Japanese in particular have a long history of long lining for swordfish and other tunas. Table 18: Billfish catches in the WCPFC Xxxx (0000 - 2004) Year Swxxxxxxh Blue marlin Black marlin Striped marlin Total catch (t) Catch (t) % Catch (t) % Catch (t) % Catch (t) % 2000 20,632 49% 15,069 36% 1,853 4% 4,511 11% 42,065 2001 17,617 43% 16,608 40% 1,996 5% 5,052 12% 41,273 2002 18,883 45% 16,327 39% 2,253 5% 4,529 11% 41,992 2003 21,686 40% 24,784 45% 2,633 5% 5,567 10% 54,670 2004 21,716 42% 21,543 42% 2,923 6% 5,064 10% 51,246 Source: Xxxxxx and Xxxxxxxx, 2005