2025 Recreational Atlantic Billfish Landings Updates
These notices are a courtesy to Atlantic billfish fishery interests to keep you informed. Official notice of actions are made through the Office of the Federal Register. Catch Statistics are also available by contacting Cliff Hutt at (301) 427-8542.
Data tables below provide preliminary 2025 preliminary landings (number of fish) for Atlantic blue and white marlin, roundscale spearfish, and western Atlantic sailfish. The table also includes 2024 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 Pelagics Survey and Marine Recreational Information Program. North Carolina discontinued their catch card program on March 31, 2025, so this will be our final year using data from that program for billfish accounting.
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 § 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.
January 1 – December 31
Posted February 3, 2026
Species | 2025 (Jan 1-Dec 31) | 2024 Total |
|---|---|---|
Atlantic blue marlin | 72 | 70 |
Atlantic white marlin | 37 | 42 |
Roundscale spearfish | 8 | 4 |
Total | 117 | 116 |
Remaining landings limit (of 250) | 133 | 134 |
Western Atlantic sailfish* | 55 | 54 |
January 1 – September 30
Posted December 18, 2025
Species | 2025 (Jan 1-Sept 30) | 2024 Total |
|---|---|---|
Atlantic blue marlin | 67 | 70 |
Atlantic white marlin | 26 | 42 |
Roundscale spearfish | 8 | 4 |
Total | 101 | 116 |
Remaining landings limit (of 250) | 149 | 134 |
Western Atlantic sailfish* | 34 | 54 |
January 1 – June 30
Posted September 25, 2025
Species | 2025 (Jan 1-June 30) | 2024 Total |
|---|---|---|
Atlantic blue marlin | 35 | 70 |
Atlantic white marlin | 1 | 42 |
Roundscale spearfish | 1 | 4 |
Total | 37 | 116 |
Remaining landings limit (of 250) | 213 | 134 |
Western Atlantic sailfish* | 28 | 54 |
*Western Atlantic sailfish are not included in the 250-fish landings limit for Atlantic blue and white marlin/roundscale spearfish.