Volume 51
Bermuda’s Marlin Fishery-Catches of Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) and White Marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) With an Analysis of Recent Trends in Release Rates and Tournament Catches
Authors
Luckhurst, B.E. Download PDF Open PDF in BrowserOther Information
Date: November, 1998
Pages: 660-665
Event: Proceedings of the Fifty First Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
City: St. Croix
Country: US Virgin Islands
Abstract
The catches of blue marlin by the Bennuda fishery (commercial and recreational) are presented for tbe past nine years (1990-98). Annual blue marl in catches have ranged from 100 to 231 fish over tbis period with release rates exceeding 80% in seven of the nine years. The Annual Bermuda Billfish Toumament, held at the height of the marlin fishing season (Late July - early August) has become predominantly a release tournament since a point system was established favouring tbe release of specimens. In the past seven years of the toumament (1992 - 1998),only 10 blue marlin have been boated while 128 were released. Approximately 50% of the released blue marlin were tagged. White marlin are taken generally in small numbers in this tournament and are virtually all released. The catch per unit of effort for blue marlin in the lournament has shown relatively small variations (nominal CPUE = 0.20.5) with no clear trend.