Abstract

Collaborations between fisheries scientists and non-profit organizations provide for a unique perspective on the importance of marine apex predators such as billfishes. The University of Southern Mississippi Center for Fisheries Research and Development (CFRD) and The Billfish Foundation (TBF) have long-standing relationships with the sport fishing community in response to the need for robust scientific data that informs sound management of billfishes. The Billfish Foundation works with community and industry stakeholders in a communal approach to support academic research in the development of data required for the conservation and sustainability of billfish species. The working relationship between the CFRD and TBF is proving effective in the collection of scientific data pertinent to understanding billfish biology and ecology. Currently, CFRD and TBF are jointly conducting billfish projects in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Bight. Within the Gulf of Mexico, opportunistic research is focused on life history aspects and diet of Swordfish and Blue Marlin sampled during billfish tournaments and in the recreational charter fishery, while directed scientific research is focused on the deployment of conventional and satellite tags in collaboration with the sport fishing community to investigate movements and habitat use of Blue Marlin. Research in the South Atlantic Bight will focus on satellite tagging of Sailfish to better understand residency patterns. These studies, among others, provide critical data that inform wise management and enhance sustainability of north Atlantic billfish.