These notices are a courtesy to Atlantic billfish fishery interests to keep you informed. Official notice of actions is made through the Office of the Federal Register. Catch statistics are also available by contacting Nick Velseboer at (978) 675-2168.
Data tables below provide preliminary 2021 landings in numbers of fish for Atlantic blue and white marlin, roundscale spearfish, and western Atlantic sailfish. The table also includes 2020 data for reference.
Landings are compiled using self-reported angler reports from the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Non-Tournament Recreational Swordfish and Billfish Landings Database; tournament landings from the Atlantic Tournament Registration & Reporting system; catch card reports from North Carolina and Maryland; and individual billfish intercepted by the Large Pelagic Survey and Marine Recreational Information Program.
Please note that estimates are subject to change due to receipt of updated information (e.g., data from late reporting). As specified in 50 CFR Part 635.27(d) (1), the recreational billfish fishery is limited to a maximum of 250 Atlantic blue and white marlin and roundscale spearfish landings, combined, per year.
|
Species |
2021 (Jan 1-Dec 31) |
2020 Total |
|---|---|---|
|
Atlantic blue marlin |
98 |
74 |
|
Atlantic white marlin |
56 |
95 |
|
Roundscale spearfish |
21 |
66 |
|
Total |
175 |
235 |
|
Remaining landings limit (of 250) |
75 |
15 |
|
Western Atlantic sailfish* |
72 |
50 |
*Western Atlantic sailfish are not included in the 250 fish landings limit for Atlantic blue and white marlin/roundscale spearfish
|
Species |
2021 (Q2) |
2020 Total |
|---|---|---|
|
Atlantic blue marlin |
46 |
74 |
|
Atlantic white marlin |
3 |
95 |
|
Roundscale spearfish |
0 |
66 |
|
Total |
49 |
235 |
|
Remaining landings limit (of 250) |
201 |
15 |
|
Western Atlantic sailfish* |
24 |
50 |
*Western Atlantic sailfish are not included in the 250 fish landings limit for Atlantic blue and white marlin/roundscale spearfish
An oceanic whitetip shark swims near the surface of the water. Photo courtesy of John Carlson.
Blacktip sharks. Credit: iStock.
Releasing a sandbar shark on a shark survey.
