2013 Atlantic Billfish Recreational Landings

NOAA Fisheries recently released preliminary landings (in numbers of fish) for Atlantic blue and white marlin, roundscale spearfish, and western Atlantic sailfish for the 2013 fishing year through December 31, 2013.

Landings are compiled using self-reported angler reports from the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Non-Tournament Recreational Swordfish and Billfish Landings Database, tournament landings from the Recreational Billfish Survey (RBS), catch card reports from North Carolina and Maryland, and individual billfish intercepted by the Large Pelagic Survey (LPS) and Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP).

Estimates are subject to late reporting, According to NOAA Fisheries.

The recreational billfish fishery is limited to a maximum of 250 Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin, and roundscale spearfish landings, combined, per year.

2013 Atlantic Billfish Recreational Landings

Atlantic Blue Marlin 51
Atlantic White Marlin 42
Roundscale Spearfish 1
Western Atlantic Sailfish 113*

* Western Atlantic sailfish are not included in the 250 fish landings limit for Atlantic blue and white marlin/roundscale spearfish. 

Highly migratory species (HMS) catch statistics can be found at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/.

source: NOAA Fisheries