Abstract

A description of the Atlantic Billfish fisheries was done based on data collected over the past 50 years in Puerto Rico. Data obtained from old fishing logs, tournament records, and commercial statistics records as well as recreational fisheries surveys were used for these analyses. When data from different decades were analyzed, several trends were found. The most frequently landed species over these years was the blue marlin (Makaira nigricans), followed by white marlin (Tetrapterus albidus). Sailfish (Istiophorus albicans) and longbill spearfish (Tetrapturus pfluegeri) were the least reported. For blue marlin even though the average length has remained between 1,500 - 2,500 mm (LJFL), average weight has changed over the years. The 1950s were a decade characterized by small individuals, the 1960s by large individuals, and 1970 - 1980 showed a steady decrease in the average weight. The late 1990s and early 2000s were characterized by higher average weight. This is mainly due to the regulations imposed in 1998 of a minimum size limit of 96 inches (2,438 mm). Also, during the late 1990s prohibitions were placed on harvest of longbill spearfish and minimum sizes were established for white marlin and sailfish. Sex composition of blue marlin landed was recorded up to 1987. Males were the sex most frequently boarded (69.3% of the landed fish) whereas females were reported to be 30.3% of the sexed population. Total weight of fish landed has increased over the past twenty years. Several factors such as higher number of fishermen targeting this species, and more high prized billfish tournaments have contributed to the increase in landings.

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