California Swordfish Harpoon Fishery - MMPA List of Fisheries

Current Classification on List of Fisheries

^ Number of participants estimates are based on state and federal fisheries permit data.  The estimated number of participants is expressed in terms of the number of active participants in the fishery, when possible.  If this information is not available, the estimated number of vessels or persons licensed for a particular fishery is provided. If no recent information is available on the number of participants, then the number from the most recent LOF is used.  NOAA Fisheries acknowledges that, in some cases, these estimations may be inflating actual effort.

*Observer coverage levels include the latest information reported in the most current final Stock Assessment Report (SAR).

¹ Indicates the stock or species is driving the classification of the fishery.

Basis for Current Classification

Classified as a Category III fishery based on the lack of documented mortality or serious injuries of marine mammals based on the available data.

Distribution

Although the harpoon fishery primarily targets swordfish, small quantities of sharks such as common thresher shark and shortfin mako shark are also landed by harpoon gear. The harpoon fishing season typically begins in May, peaks during the summer, and ends in December, existing during the months of calm sea conditions that harpoon fishing generally requires. Fishing is usually concentrated off San Diego in the Southern California Bight early in the season, and shifts to areas as far north as Oregon later in the season, especially in El Niño years. Swordfish are usually sighted basking at the surface of the water in sea surface temperatures between 12-26 degrees Celsius. During El Niño years, the range of water temperatures where the majority of swordfish sightings occur narrows and favors warmer temperatures between 20-22 degrees Celsius. The use of harpoon gear is legal in California and Oregon (not in Washington), although effort does not often occur in Oregon.

Gear Description

There are no specific characteristics for harpoon vessels in size or hold capacity, as the majority of harpoon effort is conducted opportunistically off fishing vessels using other gear types. Very few individuals solely fish with harpoon gear. When a fish is spotted at the surface, a 6-8 m bow plank is positioned over the swordfish and the harpoon thrown from the end of the plank. The hand-held harpoon consists of a 10-16 ft. metal and/or wood pole attached to a 2-foot long metal shank tipped with a 4-inch tethered bronze or iron dart. After harpooning, the handle is pulled free from the dart, and the mainline, marker flag, and floats are thrown overboard, leaving the fish to tire itself out. After the fish is tired, which could take up to two hours of swimming with gear attached, the vessel returns to retrieve it.

Management

A non-restrictive state swordfish permit, federal HMS permit with a harpoon endorsement and federal logbook are required to participate in the harpoon fishery. There are no limits to the amount of swordfish that may be harpooned, or any landing restrictions. Aircraft may be used to directly assist a permittee in the taking of swordfish or other species legal to take with harpoon gear. These aircraft must have a current FAA registration and must be registered with the CDFW, and pilots must have a California commercial fishing license. The aircraft must display the letters “SW” on the underside of each wing in block Roman alphabet at least 24 inches high x 3 inches wide; black in color and on a white background.

Historical Information

Timeline of Changes