2008 Billfish Angler Newsletter

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2008 Billfish Newsletter

2006 and 2007 Surveys: Trends in Angler Catch Rates
2006 and 2007 Billfish Tagging and Recoveries
Top Anglers and Captains Acknowledged
Successful Catch and Release
Billfish “Take Along” ID and Tagging Guide
Pacific Striped Marlin Stock Status Update

2008 Billfish Newsletter
PROLOGUE
This is the 46th issue of the Billfish Newsletter.
NOAA Fisheries and the billfish angling
community have combined efforts to measure
angler success for billfishing, creating one of the
longest time series available for recreational
billfishing, charting trends in relative abundance for
key species. This time series, among others, is key
to assessing the health of the stocks. The Southwest
Fisheries Science Center remains committed to
monitoring recreational billfishing success.
Norm Bartoo, PhD.
Acting Director,
Southwest Fisheries Science Center

INTRODUCTION
The Billfish Newsletter describes billfish research
projects conducted at the NOAA Fisheries
Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC).
Emphasis is on billfish angling in the Pacific Ocean.
The results of the 2006 and 2007 International
Billfish Angler Surveys and the Cooperative
Billfish Tagging Program for the Pacific are
described in this issue. The data presented are the
result of cooperation with billfish anglers,
sportfishing clubs, commercial fishers, and
agencies affiliated with the SWFSC. We express
our sincere gratitude to all anglers completing the
Angler Survey forms and to all those who tag and
release billfish and report recaptures of tagged
billfish. Your efforts are helping to monitor and
conserve these magnificent fish. We welcome
comments concerning both the Survey and Tagging
programs as well as the contents of this newsletter.

THE INTERNATIONAL
BILLFISH ANGLER SURVEY
The Billfish Angler Survey provides the only
estimates of recreational billfish angling activities
for the Pacific and Indian Oceans. This collection of
recreational billfish catch and effort data began in
1969 and now provides a 39-year index of fishing
success in many areas of the Pacific. Catch per unit
of effort (CPUE) is measured in number of billfish
caught per angler fishing day. The time series of
angler success provides a measure of relative
abundance and is the only survey independent of
commercial fisheries in the Pacific. Trends of
CPUE tracked over time may indicate changes in the
health and size of billfish stocks. These indices of
relative abundance are important to scientists
because the information is used for analyses of stock

Page 2

condition, developing management options, and monitoring
fishery interactions.
In order to improve the reliability of the catch and effort
statistics, we encourage more anglers to submit Survey cards.
We routinely mail forms to anglers who have submitted a
completed Survey or Billfish Tagging card in the last 3 years.
However, if you or someone you know needs additional
forms, please do not hesitate to contact us. Alternatively, the
form can be downloaded from the SWFSC website and
mailed to our office: http://swfsc.noaa.gov/frd-billfish.aspx.
The Angler Survey results presented here are primarily for the
Pacific areas, although anglers also reported some fishing
activity in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. In 2006,
throughout all areas, anglers reported catching 5,164 billfish
in 6,540 days; in 2007, 3,913 billfish were reported caught
during 5,654 fishing days. Fishing effort, in angler fishing
days, and CPUE, in billfish catch per fishing days are shown
by location in Table 1 for all billfish reported caught in both
years. The mean CPUE in the Pacific was 0.82 in 2006 and
0.68 in 2007, and for all oceans was 0.79 in 2006 and 0.69 in
2007. The 2006 and 2007 Pacific Ocean mean catch rates are
higher than the 0.62 billfish per day catch rate reported for
2005 and represent the highest and fourth highest reported
catch rates, respectively, since 1983. The recent 5-year
average (2003-2007) in the Pacific of 0.72 billfish per fishing
day is more than double the rate of 0.34 reported for the late
1970s (1975-1979) when billfish stocks were heavily
impacted by large international commercial fisheries.

The Billfish Newsletter
says “Goodbye” to
Rand Rasmussen
Rand has been an integral part of the Billfish Research
Program at the SWFSC for the past two decades. He
took on the monumental task of developing and
maintaining a database to archive tens of thousands of
tag report cards and angler surveys that has greatly
simplified the life of the data analysts and assessment
scientists. Many of you probably communicated
repeatedly with Rand over the years as he often fielded
inquiries regarding the Tagging Program and Angler
Survey. In addition, Rand was invaluable to the program
on the water where he was heavily involved in the
Center’s large pelagic fish research programs; he
participated in nearly every pelagic shark research
expedition since 1994, often as cruise leader. Rand’s
high standard for data quality in the laboratory and his
leadership in the field will be missed. We wish Rand a
happy and healthy retirement!

Page 3

2008 Billfish Newsletter

Table 1. Catch and effort reported for the 2006 and 2007 International Billfish Angler Survey. Numbers indicate total days
fished by location, number of billfish caught, and the catch-per-fishing day. The most predominant species caught by area
is also listed: striped marlin (SM), blue marlin (BLM), black marlin (BLK), swordfish (SWF), and sailfish (SF).

LOCATION

BILLFISH
ANGLER NUMBER
PER
MAJOR
OF
YEAR FISHING
FISHING SPECIES
DAYS BILLFISH
DAY
(CPUE)

LOCATION

ATLANTIC OCEAN

PACIFIC OCEAN
2006
2007
Southern California, 2006
U.S.A.
2007
Baja California, Mex. 2006
2007
2006
Australia
2007
2006
Costa Rica
2007
2006
Acapulco, Ixtapa,
2007
Zihuatanejo, Mex.
2006
Panama
2007
2006
Tahiti,
2007
French Polynesia
2006
New Zealand
2007
2006
Puerto Vallarta, Mex. 2007
Manzanillo, Mexico 2006
2007
2006
Japan
2007
2006
Guatemala
2007
2006
Mazatlan, Mexico
2007
2006
New Guinea
2007
2006
Guaymas, Mexico
2007
2006
Marshall Islands
2007
2006
Fiji
2007
Galapagos Islands,
2007
Ecuador
Hawaii, U.S.A.

SM

Hudson Canyon,
U.S.A.
Madeira Island,
Portugal

SM

Ghana

2006

6

2

0.33

BLM

BLK

St. Thomas, U.S.A.

2007

5

5

1.00

BLM

Cancun/Yucatan,
Mexico

2007

1

2

2.00

SF

3,168
3,246
966
691
813
740
218
242
342
98
120
103
98
61
57
92
106
32
63
38
11
79
22
54
35
23
29
28
20
15
15
8
4
17
3
2

1,269
1,189
216
117
871
1,425
148
92
1,750
314
135
107
103
119
10
22
160
8
37
23
8
36
2
10
152
192
64
120
0
3
70
1
1
5
0
0

0.40
0.37
0.22
0.17
1.07
1.93
0.68
0.38
5.12
3.20
1.13
1.04
1.05
1.95
0.18
0.24
1.51
0.25
0.59
0.61
0.73
0.46
0.09
0.19
4.34
8.35
2.21
4.29
0.00
0.20
4.67
0.13
0.25
0.29
0.00
0.00

3

1

0.33

SM

BLM

SF

SF
BLM
SM
SF/SM
SF
BLM
SF
SF
BLM
SF
SM

2007

3

2

0.67

SF

Guam, U.S.A.

2006

2

1

0.50

BLM

Oaxaca, Mexico

2006

2

1

0.50

SF

ATLANTIC OCEAN
2006
2007
2006
2007
2006
2007
2006
2007

120
32
13
13
10
7
9
2

110
17
15
4
2
2
3
1

0.92
0.53
1.15
0.31
0.20
0.29
0.33
0.50

2006

10

23

2.30

SWF

Dominican Republic 2007

9

14

1.56

BLM

Venezuela
Bahamas
Bermuda, U.K.
Gulf of Mexico

SF
BLM
SF
BLM

2006

8

1

0.13

SWF

2006
2007

6
1

0
1

0.00
1.00

BLM

INDIAN OCEAN

SF

Samoa

Florida, U.S.A.

BILLFISH
ANGLER NUMBER
PER
MAJOR
OF
YEAR FISHING
FISHING SPECIES
DAYS BILLFISH
DAY
(CPUE)

Dubai / United
Arab Emirates
Republic of
South Africa

2006

200

0

0.00

2006

50

4

0.08

SF

Mauritius

2006
2007

7
9

1
81

0.14
9.00

SF

Kenya

2006

5

0.71

SF

Totals

2006
2007

5,164
3,913

0.79
0.69

7
6,540
5,654

PACIFIC BLUE MARLIN
Blue marlin are tropical and sub-tropical in distribution and
continue to be the most common species encountered by
billfish anglers in Hawaii and the central and western Pacific
island nations. Survey respondents reported catching 705 blue
marlin off Hawaii in 3,168 days of fishing (0.22 CPUE) in
2006, and 674 blue marlin in 3,246 days of fishing (0.21
CPUE) in 2007. A downward trend in catch rates since 2005
has occurred in Hawaii, although catch rates over the past three
years are still among the highest since 1972 (Figure 1a). In the
eastern Pacific, blue marlin rarely extend north of Magdalena
Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The reported catch off Baja
in 2006 totaled 42 in 813 days of fishing (0.05 CPUE), which is
essentially the same catch rate reported in the prior two years,
and near the lowest rate reported in the past 20 years. A slight
increase in the blue marlin catch rate occurred in 2007 when 72
blue marlin were reported caught in 740 fishing days (0.10
CPUE). In other areas, one blue marlin was caught in 23
angling days off Guaymas during 2006 and 2007 (0.04 CPUE),
and thirty six blue marlin were reported caught from Mazatlan
to Acapulco, Mexico, in 473 fishing days (0.08 CPUE). A high
catch rate was reported for the Marshall Islands in 2005 (0.88
CPUE); however, in 21 days of fishing at the Marshalls
during 2006 and 2007, there were only four blue marlin
reported caught (0.19 CPUE). Blue marlin catches were also
reported off southern California, Florida, Guatemala, South
Africa, Venezuela, Bahamas, Ghana, New Zealand, Tahiti,
Costa Rica, Japan, Panama, Australia, Guam, Samoa, New
Guinea, Galapagos Islands, and Fiji.

2008 Billfish Newsletter

Page 4

STRIPED MARLIN

BLACK MARLIN

Striped Marlin is the most common billfish species
encountered by anglers off southern California and
northern Mexico, including Baja California, as well as off
New Zealand. In 2006, anglers in southern California
reported catching 209 striped marlin in 966 angler days for
a catch rate of 0.22, which was the second highest striped
marlin catch rate reported from this area in the 39 years of
the Survey. In 2007, 0.17 striped marlin were caught per
angler day, which was the fifth highest catch rate reported
from southern California. Similarly, striped marlin catch
rates reported from all of Mexico in 2006 and 2007 were the
highest on record when 0.77 and 1.33 stripers, respectively,
were caught per angler day. Within Mexican waters, Baja
California Sur is an angling hotspot for striped marlin. In
2006, anglers reported catching 775 striped marlin in 813
days of fishing off Baja for a catch rate of 0.95; in 2007,
1,299 stripers were reported caught in 740 fishing days for a
catch rate of 1.76. Striped marlin are less abundant south of
Acapulco where sailfish are more common; however, a few
stripers were caught in Costa Rica, Venezuela, and Panama,
as well as in Hawaii, Tahiti, Australia, Japan, and New
Zealand. Indeed, 2006 was another productive year in New
Zealand where 123 stripers were caught in 106 days (1.16
CPUE). Trends in mean angler catch rates for striped
marlin in three areas with high reporting rates are shown
graphically in Figure 1b. The data shown for Mexico is an
average for all areas reported.

Black marlin are common in tropical waters and only
occasionally frequent temperate areas. They are the
most common species encountered by billfish anglers in
Australia as well as in some of the western Pacific island
nations. Anglers reported catching 138 black marlin in
218 fishing days (0.63 CPUE) off Australia in 2006,
which was a decrease from 2005 when the highest catch
rate had been reported since 1973 (Figure 1d). A further
decrease in catch rate was observed in 2007 when
anglers fishing off Australia reported catching 60 black
marlin in 242 fishing days (0.25 CPUE). The Panama
catch rate of black marlin has slightly increased since
2004. Anglers in Panama reported catching 15 black
marlin in 98 fishing days (0.15 CPUE) in 2006 and 15
black marlin in 61 fishing days (0.25 CPUE) in 2007.
Black marlin are often reported off Puerto Vallarta and
around the tip of Baja California, Mexico, but rarely
occur off southern California. Eleven black marlin
were reported taken off Puerto Vallarta in 63 fishing
days (0.18 CPUE) in 2006 and four were reported
caught in 38 fishing days (0.11 CPUE) in 2007. Anglers
also reported catching a few black marlin off Hawaii,
New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Japan.

SAILFISH
Sailfish prefer tropical habitat and are abundant in eastern
Pacific coastal and offshore waters from Mexico to
Ecuador. The highest catch rates reported through the
International Billfish Angler Survey are typically from
southern Mexico and Central America; however, high catch
rates were reported from northern Mexico off Guaymas in
2006 where 68 sailfish were caught in 15 angler days (4.53
CPUE). From Mazatlan south in Mexican waters, 179 sails
were caught in 225 fishing days in 2006 and 233 sails were
caught in 248 days in 2007 for catch rates of 0.80 and 0.94,
respectively. Central America sailfish catch was high in
2006 and 2007, with the greatest numbers of sailfish caught
off Costa Rica. In 2006, anglers in Costa Rica reported
catching a total of 1,696 sails in 342 days for a catch rate of
4.96 sails per fishing day, the second highest CPUE
reported from Costa Rica throughout the Survey history. A
decrease in both catch and effort was reported from Costa
Rica in 2007 when 277 sailfish were caught in 98 fishing
days (2.83 CPUE). The sailfish catch rate reported from
Guatemala in 2007 was the highest on record; anglers
reported catching 186 sails in 23 days (8.09 CPUE). This
was an increase from 2006 when 151 sails were caught in 35
days (4.31 CPUE). Anglers in Panama reported catching
77 sailfish in 98 days (0.79 CPUE) in 2006, and 78 in 61
days (1.28 CPUE) in 2007. Figure 1c shows the trend in
catch rates over time for Central America countries with
high reporting rates and all of Mexico combined.

SHORTBILL SPEARFISH
The shortbill spearfish is an oceanic species with
limited abundance near the west coasts of the U.S.,
Mexico, and Central America. In 2006, anglers
reported catching 306 shortbills in 3,168 fishing
days off Hawaii for a catch rate of 0.10 fish per
day; in 2007, 278 shortbill spearfish were caught
off Hawaii in 3,246 fishing days (0.09 CPUE). Only 12
other shortbill spearfish were reported caught during
2006 and 2007 in the following areas: New Zealand (6),
Mauritius Island (3), Baja California (1), Marshall
Islands (1), and Japan (1).
BROADBILL SWORDFISH
Fishing for swordfish differs from other billfishing in
that the fish are generally targeted at night. Swordfish
are a commercially important fish, but have not recently
been taken in high numbers by recreational anglers.
Even so, a few respondents to the 2006 and 2007
International Billfish Angler Surveys reported catching
swordfish off Hawaii, Florida, New York, Venezuela,
Southern California, Mauritius, and Australia.

Page 5

2008 Billfish Newsletter

0.6

A

0.5

Pacific Blue Marlin
TAHITI

0.4

HAWAII

0.3
0.2
0.1

BAJA

0.0

1969 1971 1973 1975 1977 197919811983 1985 1987 1989 19911993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007

1.4
1.2

B

Striped Marlin

NUMBER OF FISH PER DAY

1.0

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

0.8

MEXICO

0.6
0.4

HAWAII

0.2
0.0

1969 1971 1973 1975 1977 197919811983 1985 1987 1989 19911993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007

12.0
10.0

C

Pacific Sailfish

GUATEMALA

8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0

PANAMA

COSTA RICA

MEXICO

0.0
1969 1971 1973 1975 1977 197919811983 1985 1987 1989 19911993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007

1.6

D

Black Marlin

1.2

AUSTRALIA

0.8
0.4

PANAMA

0.0
1969 1971 1973 1975 1977 197919811983 1985 1987 1989 19911993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007

YEAR
Figure 1. Catch per unit of effort (CPUE) in number of fish per angler day reported by region from 1969 to 2007
for blue marlin (A), striped marlin (B), Pacific sailfish (C), and black marlin (D).

2008 Billfish Newsletter
THE BILLFISH TAGGING PROGRAM
The SWFSC’s angler based Billfish Tagging Program
began in 1963 and has provided tagging supplies to billfish
anglers for 46 continuous years. Tag release and recapture
data are used to determine movement and migration
patterns, species distribution, and age and growth. This
volunteer tagging program depends on the participation
and cooperation of recreational anglers, sportfishing
organizations, and commercial fishers. Since inception,
over 57,000 fish of 75 different species have been tagged
and released (Table 2). Our emphasis continues to focus
on the skillful tagging of all billfish in the Pacific and Indian
Oceans. Other species tagged over the years are reported
here as general interest and also so that anglers will know to
look out for tags on a number of different species. While
we consider tag-and-release vital for conservation, we do
not encourage the use of our billfish tags for non-billfish. If
Table 2. Summary of all fish tagged in 2006 and 2007 with
releases and recoveries for the period 1963-2007.
Species Name

Release Release Release Return Rate
%
2006
2007
Total
Total

Striped Marlin

220

276

22,640

341

1.51

Pacific Blue Marlin

661

471

9,247

82

0.89

Sailfish

109

27

9,040

49

0.54

Marlin, unid.

6

3

4,326

4

0.09

Black Marlin

9

2

3,383

69

2.04

Shortfin Mako Shark

0

0

1,985

64

3.22

118

61

1,947

2

0.10

Blue Shark

0

0

622

14

2.25

Common Thresher

0

0

562

17

3.02

Broadbill Swordfish

0

0

521

17

3.26

Yellowfin Tuna

0

0

348

24

6.90

Skipjack Tuna

1

1

99

2

2.02

Albacore Tuna

0

0

87

1

1.15

Bigeye Tuna

0

0

79

2

2.53

Bluefin Tuna

0

1

58

8 13.79

Hammerhead Shark

0

0

51

1

1.96

Atlantic Blue Marlin

0

0

43

0

0.00

Salmon Shark

0

0

33

1

3.03

Billfish, unid.

0

1

25

2

8.00

Silky Shark

0

0

21

0

0.00

White Marlin

0

0

13

1

7.69

Basking Shark

0

0

7

0

0.00

Longbill Spearfish

0

0

3

0

0.00

Other Tunas

2

1

21

1

4.76

All Others

6

2

2,626

99

3.77

1,132

846

57,787

801

1.39

Shortbill Spearfish

TOTALS

Page 6
you want to tag billfish as part of our program, please
let us know and we can send you some tags!
Billfish Tagging Program report cards indicate that a
total of 1,964 billfish and 14 other fish were tagged
and released during 2006 and 2007. In total, 1,132
blue marlin, 496 striped marlin, 136 sailfish, 179
spearfish, 11 black marlin, and ten unknown billfish
were reported tagged and released (Table 2). More
billfish were reported tagged in 2006 than in 2007. In
particular, a greater number of blue marlin, black
marlin, sailfish, and shortbill spearfish were tagged in
2006; however, there were more striped marlin
tagged in 2007. The most notable difference in
tagging effort between 2006 and 2007 for any billfish
species was a twenty five percent reduction in tags
released on sailfish from 2006 (109) to 2007 (27).
Table 3 shows the cumulative tagging efforts in 2006
and 2007, by area, for all billfish tagged. Most
billfish were tagged in U.S. or Mexican waters, while
a few were tagged elsewhere in the Pacific and in the
Indian and Atlantic Oceans. In Hawaii, 1,493 tags
were deployed on billfish during 2006 and 2007.
Over these two years 1,085 blue marlin, 208 striped
marlin, 176 shortbill spearfish, four black marlin, and
four unidentified billfish were reported tagged and
released from the Hawaiian Islands. Tagging effort
off Mexico remained strong with 149 releases in 2006
and 172 in 2007. In 2006, the billfish tag releases
were distributed fairly evenly off Mexico.
Conversely, over ninety percent of tagging effort in
Mexico was concentrated along the Baja Peninsula in
2007, where 156 billfish, mostly striped marlin, were
tagged. The number of striped marlin tagged off Baja
in 2007 (149) was closer to the number seen in
previous years compared to an unusually low number
of striped marlin releases from Baja anglers in 2006
(36). On the contrary, fifty-two striped marlin were
tagged off southern California in 2006, which was at
least double the number of striped marlin tagged in
this area in 2005 (25) and 2007 (26).

Page 7

2008 Billfish Newsletter

Table 3. Cumulative summary of billfish tagged in 2006
and 2007 by region.
AREA

SPECIES

TOTAL

PACIFIC OCEAN

Hawaii, U.S.A.

Southern California, U.S.A.

Baja California, Mexico

Acapulco / Ixtapa /
Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Manzanillo, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Mazatlan, Mexico
Guaymas, Mexico
Costa Rica
Tahiti, French Polynesia

Samoa

Fiji
Marshall Islands
Australia
Philippines
Thailand
Australia

Pacific Blue Marlin
Striped Marlin
Shortbill Spearfish
Sailfish
Black Marlin
Billfish, unidentified
Striped Marlin
Pacific Blue Marlin
Billfish, unidentified
Shortbill Spearfish
Striped Marlin
Sailfish
Pacific Blue Marlin
Billfish, unidentified
Sailfish
Striped Marlin
Pacific Blue Marlin
Sailfish
Striped Marlin
Pacific Blue Marlin
Sailfish
Pacific Blue Marlin
Black Marlin
Striped Marlin
Striped Marlin
Sailfish
Striped Marlin
Sailfish
Pacific Blue Marlin
Pacific Blue Marlin
Billfish, unidentified
Sailfish
Striped Marlin
Pacific Blue Marlin
Sailfish
Pacific Blue Marlin
Pacific Blue Marlin
Sailfish
Pacific Blue Marlin
Striped Marlin

1,085
208
176
16
4
4
78
5
1
1
185
17
3
2
43
8
1
25
6
3
9
6
5
3
3
1
1
11
7
7
3
2
2
1
4
1
3
1
1
1

CAPTAIN AND ANGLER
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are proud to recognize the cooperating anglers
and captains who tag and release billfish. In 2006,
810 anglers reported tagging at least one billfish; in
2007, there were 607 anglers contributing to the
tagging effort. Individual recognition of the 93
anglers who reported tagging three or more billfish
during 2006 and 2007 is presented in Table 4. We
regret that limited space prevents listing all taggers.
Rich Chaponot and James Karamouzis each tagged
ten or more billfish off Hawaii during 2006 and 2007.
Lynn Jasper tagged nine billfish off Southern
California. In Mexico, off Baja California, Don
Anderson (16) and Pete Johnson Sr. (11) lead the
tagging efforts. The top taggers off the central
Mexico coast were Howard Bond (29) off Colima,
and Clarke Smith (9) off Puerto Vallarta.
Charter and private boat captains who support
billfish tag-and-release (and catch-and-release) play
an important roll by supporting ethical angling and
conservation stewardship of the marine
environment. They set an example by demonstrating
skillful release of their billfish catch. During 2006
and 2007, 232 captains reported tagging billfish with
their anglers and clients. We gratefully acknowledge
those captains who released three or more billfish in
specific regions (Table 5). F ifty-two captains tagged
10 or more billfish during 2006 and 2007. Captains
Kevin Hiney, John Bagwell, and Dennis Cintas
tagged 75 or more fish. Captains Peter Hoogs,
Chuck Wigzell, Marlin Parker, Alan Abdill, Kevin
Hibbard, Alan Armstrong, Jeff Fay, Bill Crawford,
Tim Hicks, William Lazenby, Tom Casey, and Guy
Terwilliger tagged 30 or more billfish off Hawaii.
Captains Armando Arciniega, Mike Shrosbree and
Rich Hamilton tagged more than 30 billfish off
Mexico. Continued interest and cooperation by all
captains has greatly enhanced the Billfish Tagging
Program, and their efforts and conservation ethic are
truly appreciated. These efforts are a critical
component of sustainable billfish angling.

INDIAN OCEAN

Mauritius Island
Kenya
Maldives/Diego Garcia

Pacific Blue Marlin
Sailfish
Black Marlin
Shortbill Spearfish
Pacific Blue Marlin
Sailfish

7
5
2
2
1
2

ATLANTIC OCEAN
Dakar, Senegal

Pacific Blue Marlin

1

Gulf of Mexico

Striped Marlin

1

TOTAL

1,964

Sailfish
Istiophorus platypterus

2008 Billfish Newsletter

Page 8

Table 4. Names of anglers tagging three or more billfish during the 2006 and 2007 calendar years, by area.
ANGLER NAME

BILLFISH
TAGGED

4
4
4
3
3
3
3

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
Don Anderson
Pete Johnson Sr.
Tom Patierno
Bryan MacMurtrie
Jim Kopycki
Peter Johnson Jr.
Geline Zampell
Kenneth H. Schilling
Mark Henwood
Rich Johnson
Richard Hamilton
Brett Crane
Chris Mathews
Gerald Lester
Mike Shrosbree
Robert Woodard Jr.
Steve Hay
Craig Plitt
Dick Perkins
Dwain Nunez
Lane Walter
Mark Bernas
Maurice Smith
Pedro Orozco

16
11
8
7
7
7
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

COSTA RICA
Bryan Freeman
James Gowans

5
4

ANGLER NAME

HAWAII, U.S.A.

ACAPULCO-IXTAPAZIHUATANEJO, MEX.
Johnnie W. Gibbs
Martin Yves
Ryan Sibrel
Guy Causse
Jim A. Collins
Mike Fitzgerald
Sonia Hubbard

BILLFISH
TAGGED

ANGLER NAME

Rick Chaponot
James Karamouzis
Steve Keinath
John C. Hurlbut
Bob Creedon
Gary Carruthers
Jeff Harms
Jeff Oko
Joe Hinkey
John Patterson
Nigel Heath “The Cricket”
Sean Weaver
Bill Crawford
Charles W. Helscel
Dana Kitchens
Donald H. Frederickson
Janet B. Martic
John Bennett
Matt McKinney
Paul Caughlan
Randy Botti
Ron Tegland
Ronald Scanlon
Tom Lynch
Toshie Aoshima
Aaron Cecil
Alex Mahfouz
Bill Wheeler
Bo Godfrey
Bob Struwe
Deliman
Don Pyle
Doug Blanchard
Jason Rousseau
Jay Coons
Jeff Lanterman
Jeff Stafford
Jessica Sherman
Keith Allan
Mike Jacobsen

BILLFISH
TAGGED

HAWAII, U.S.A.
11
10
8
6
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

Mike Sabin
P. Lim
Randy Wright
Robert Woodard Jr.
Sharon Handgis
Steve Spina
Tavish Lynch
Tim Rego
William Scarbrough

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

MANZANILLO, MEXICO
Howard Bond

29

MAURITIUS
Bourdeau Jerome

5

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO
9

Clarke Smith

SAMOA
Jeff Shively

3

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA,
U.S.A.
Lynn Jasper
William H. MacCorkell
Kathy Ecklund
Ann Thompson
Reed Miller
Stan Ecklund Sr.

9
7
5
3
3
3

TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA
Teariki Blais

3

TAG RECOVERIES IN 2006 AND 2007
The number of tag returns in 2006 and 2007 was low. In
total, seven recaptures were reported during 2006 and
2007. In 2006, we received recapture information for two
blue marlin and one shortbill spearfish (Table 6). In 2007,
recapture information was received for two striped
marlin, one blue marlin, and one unidentified marlin.
Four recaptures occurred near the Hawaiian Islands,
including two blue marlin, one shortbill spearfish, and one
unidentified marlin. Two recaptures were reported from
Mexico, including one striped marlin caught off Cabo San
Lucas and one blue marlin caught off Acapulco. Finally, a
striped marlin tagged from a charter vessel operating out
of Hawaii was recaptured by a French Polynesian
longliner not far from Tahiti. The estimated net distance
traveled by this striper is 2,200 nautical miles and is one of
the greatest distances traveled of 341 striped marlin
recaptured since the Tagging Program began. Only three
shortbill spearfish have been recaptured in the history of
the Tagging Program, one of which was in 2006. The

spearfish was tagged in April of 2006 off the southwestern
corner of the big island of Hawaii and was recaptured
northeast of the big island after 62 days at liberty.
Although there were not any sailfish or black marlin
recoveries reported during 2006 and 2007, large numbers
of these species have been tagged by anglers through our
program. Little is known about their movements;
however, from past recoveries for each of these species,
we are beginning to learn about their movement patterns.
Figure 2 shows net movements of sailfish and black
marlin tagged and recaptured as part of the Billfish
Tagging Program. Most of the sailfish releases and
recoveries in the Arabian Gulf were conducted as part of a
research project in the late 1990’s on their regional
behavior and biology by John Hoolihan.
Over the years of the Tagging Program some remarkable
long distances and time at liberty have been seen as a

Page 9

2008 Billfish Newsletter

result of reported tagged fish recoveries. Table 7
provides the maximum distance traveled and
maximum time at liberty of some of the large pelagic
species in our database.

Striped Marlin
Tetrapterus audax

Unfortunately, we have not received the release cards
for one blue marlin and one unidentified marlin
recaptured in 2007. It is important that all Billfish
Tagging Program report cards be sent in as soon after
tagging as possible. Additionally, please ensure that
all fields are filled out when returning tag cards. This
would be a great time to check your tackle boxes and
ensure all Billfish Tagging Program report cards have
been sent to our office.

Black Marlin
Makaira indica

Broadbill Swordfish
Xiphias gladius

Table 5. Names of captains tagging 3 or more billfish during the 2006 and 2007 calendar years, by area.
CAPTAIN NAME

BILLFISH
TAGGED

ACAPULCO-IXTAPAZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO
Armando Arciniega
Richard Hamilton

37
11

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
Mike Shrosbree
John Algeo
John McCarty
Richard Hamilton
Mark Henwood
Rich Johnson
Harold Schram
Byran Adams
Paulino Martinez
(Castro)
Robert Woodard Jr.
Martin Olechea
Martin Collins
Gerald Lester
Kenneth H. Schilling
Pedro Orozco
Eric Grennan
John Ulrich
Randy Hinton
Thomas A. Shanahan

31
19
17
17
16
15
11
8
8
8
7
6
5
5
4
3
3
3
3

COSTA RICA
Daniel Espinozala
Jimenez
Thomas Segueira

14
4

HAWAII, U.S.A.
Kevin Hiney
John Bagwell
Dennis Cintas
Peter Hoogs
Chuck Wigzell
Marlin Parker
Alan Abdill
Kevin Hibbard
Alan Armstrong
Jeff Fay

93
87
75
73
53
51
47
44
43
43

CAPTAIN NAME

BILLFISH
TAGGED

HAWAII, U.S.A.
Bill Crawford
Tim Hicks
William Lazenby
Guy Terwilliger
Tom Casey
McGrew Rice
Scott M. Fuller
Ronald C. Miller
Wayne Knight
Steve Cravens
William Dorr
Bill Casey
John Jordan
Robert Hudson
James Dean
Charles E. Haupert
Jeff Metzler
Lance Gelman
Neil Isaacs
Sam Thies
Al Gustavson
Steven D. Kaiser
Brian (Chip) Van Mols
Jerry Allen
Ken Fogarty
Mike Holtz
Doug Lanterman
Scott Crampton
Alan Bakke
Frank Rennie Boyd
Robert McGuckin
Mike Derego
Allan Ayano
Jeff Kahl
Mark Shultz
Mike Hasbrouck
Kerwin Masunaga
Merritt Matheson
Robert C. Sylva, Jr.
Bill Benbow
David Bertuleit
Jason Holtz

CAPTAIN NAME

BILLFISH
TAGGED

HAWAII, U.S.A.
40
36
33
30
30
29
27
24
24
23
23
21
21
21
20
17
16
16
16
15
14
14
11
11
11
11
10
10
9
9
9
8
7
7
7
7
6
6
6
5
5
5

Lyle Yeck
Brian Wargo
Chip Fischer
Hector P. Ubaldo
Kevin McLaughlin
Marty L. Sands
Scotty Pruner
Steve Carroll
Bruce Evans
Bruce Herren
Chris Kam
Craig Denham
Dale Leverone
Kenny Llanes
Kent Mongreig
Kevin M. Hogan
Sam Choy, Jr.
Tom Rogers
Tony Clark

5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

MANZANILLO, MEXICO
Howard Bond
Richard Hamilton

27
3

MAURITIUS
ColasYann

13

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO
Manuel Ocaranza
Maurice Nakagawa
Mike Shrosbree

10
6
3

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.
Thomas A Shanahan
Stan Ecklund, Sr.
Dan Muslin
Ron Johnson
Craig Oliver
Kathy Ecklund
Rich Johnson

11
9
4
4
3
3
3

TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA
Pierre Blais

4

2008 Billfish Newsletter

Page 10

Table 6. Tag recovery information for 2006 and 2007.
TAGGER/CAPTAIN

RELEASE
LOCATION

RELEASE
DATE

RECOVERY
DATE/
ANGLER

RECOVERY
LOCATION

05/05/2007
Stephen
Yen-Kai-Sun

13°49’S 141°16’W
Tahiti

?

~2,200 - SW

08/04/2007
Bryan Adams

23°03’N 110°15’W
Mexico

93

74 - SE

MILES/
DAYS
DIRECTION
FREE
TRAVELED

Striped Marlin
Mike Mills
Mike Derego

Hawaii, U.S.A.

?

Robert A. Colasanti
Harold Schram

05/01/07

23°46’N 109°10’W
Gordo Bank,
B.C.S., Mexico

Blue Marlin
Butch Cooley
Marcos

02/01/2005

17°00’N 101°00’W
Mexico

05/01/2006
Laurie
Greenwood

16°11’N 99°55’W
Mexico

454

79 - SE

2006

19°38’N 155°59’W
Hawaii, U.S.A.

11/13/2006
Russell Tanaka

21°14’N 158°13’W
Hawaii, U.S.A.

?

158 - NW

?

?

02/12/2007
Hirokazu Saito

14°45’N 162°01’W

?

?

04/04/2006

19°30’N 156°00’W
Hawaii, U.S.A.

06/04/2006
Scott
Spinak

21°47’N 154°11’W
Hawaii, U.S.A.

454

79 - SE

?

?

02/20/2007
Hawaiian Isles
Seafood

19°30’N 156°00’W
Hawaii, U.S.A.

?

?

Allen Stuart
Jeff Fay
Tagging card
not received

Shortbill Spearfish
Smiley Nagy
Kevin Hiney

Marlin, unidentified
Tagging card
not received

30°E

50°E

70°E

90°E

110°E

130°E

150°E

170°E 170°W 150°W

130°W 110°W

90°W

70°W
40°N
30°N
20°N
10°N

10°S
20°S
30°S
40°S
50°S
50°E

145°E

110°W

30°N
15°S

Figure 2. Movements of all black marlin and sailfish tagged and recovered in conjunction with the Billfish Tagging
Program since the Program’s inception. Black lines represent black marlin and red lines represent sailfish.

Page 11

2008 Billfish Newsletter
Similarly, estimated recruitment for this species has
been steadily declining with no evidence that strong
year-classes have or are about to enter the fishery.

PACIFIC STRIPED MARLIN
STOCK STATUS UPDATE
Commercial fisheries for highly migratory species are
managed internationally by the Inter-American Tropical
Tuna Commission (IATTC) in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission
(WCPFC) in the Western Pacific Ocean. The majority of
nations fishing for large pelagic fish in international waters
of the Pacific are members of one or both of these
Commissions. The Commissions monitor the status of the
stocks and develop conservation measures when needed
based on scientific advice.
Striped marlin are taken in fisheries predominately
targeting tuna or swordfish and by recreational anglers.
SWFSC scientists have played a key role in assessing the
status of the striped marlin population in the North Pacific.
In 2007, the International Scientific Committee for Tuna
and Tuna-Like Species in the North Pacific (ISC)
conducted a stock assessment of striped marlin in the North
Pacific. The population status is difficult to determine due
to a range of uncertainties in both the fishery and biological
data. Nevertheless, the results demonstrate that striped
marlin biomass has declined to a level that is 6 to 16
percent of the biomass level in 1952. In addition, striped
marlin landings, which peaked at roughly 14,000 metric
tons annually in the late 1960s (Figure 3), and indices of
abundance have both declined markedly.

There appears to be inconsistency in the data from the
Western Pacific and the Eastern Pacific fisheries.
Scientists recommended that future modeling efforts
include spatial segregation to accommodate regional
variability. The IATTC has conducted separate analyses
of striped marlin status based on data from the Eastern
Pacific. The results are less pessimistic and demonstrate
that the population biomass is at 50 to 70 percent of its
unfished biomass. They conclude that current catch
levels in the Eastern Pacific are sustainable.
Both the WCPFC and IATTC currently have resolutions
in place that call for the prompt release, unharmed, of
non-target billfish by their members. In addition, the
ISC recommends, based on the results of the 2007 stock
assessment, that fishing mortality of striped marlin in
the North Pacific be reduced. Many Pacific countries
already impose domestic management measures
limiting commercial take of striped marlin, particularly
in near-shore waters where recreational anglers fish.
Thus, we are hopeful that striped marlin in the Pacific
will benefit from the combined efforts of the
Commissions, their members and ethical anglers who
contribute by monitoring annual billfish catch and effort
and participating in the Billfish Tagging Program.

20,000

Metric Tons

16,000

12,000

8,000

4,000

North Pacific Striped Marlin Catch
0
1952

1956

1960

1964

1968

1972

1976

1980

1984

1988

1992

1996

2000

2004

Figure 3. Annual and running three year average of striped marlin catch (metric tons) in the North Pacific. Data are
from the International Scientific Committee Plenary Meeting, July 2008.

Northern Bluefin Tuna

Thunnus orientalis

2008 Billfish Newsletter

Page 12

Table 7. Maximum net distance traveled and longest time
at liberty for billfish, tunas, and pelagic sharks tagged in
conjunction with the Billfish Tagging Program and other
SWFSC research programs during 1963-2007.
SPECIES
Sailfish
Broadbill Swordfish
Striped Marlin
Pacific Blue Marlin
Black Marlin
Shortbill Spearfish
Albacore Tuna
Bluefin Tuna
Yellowfin Tuna
Skipjack Tuna
Shortfin Mako Shark
Salmon Shark
Blue Shark
Common Thresher Shark
Silky Shark

MAXIMUM DAYS MAXIMUM NET
AT LIBERTY MOVEMENT (nmi)
1,717
1,681
1,585
1,503
1,454
34
3,565
1,829
324
290
1,938
1,547
1,378
800
175

932
2,573
3,693
4,450
5,763
173
5,587
5,116
850
575
3,935
285
4,102
170
447

Photo of sailfish is provided by Chugey Sepulveda. It
was taken in June off Punta Chivato in the Sea of Cortez,
Baja California Sur.

CONSTRUCTING THE TAGGING POLE

Tag
Nylon Tip
Pole
2-1/2"
3/16" hole

3-3/4"

A33333 National Marine Fisher ies Se

If you construct your own tagging pole, an old wooden broom or mop handle about
five feet long works very well. A hole should be drilled with a 3/16 inch or No. 16 drill
bit to a depth of 1.25 inches for the applicator tip (see diagram below). U se a good
grade epoxy to secure the applicator pin and seal out saltwater.

rvic e

It is important that the billfish tag be applied properly. Tag location, angle, and
depth are critical to successful tagging. For striped marlin of 100 to 200 lbs, the tag
should be inserted about 2.5 inches deep just below the tallest part of the dorsal fin.
For larger fish, such as blue and black marlin, the tagging applicator pin may be 3.5
inches. Conversely, if you are tagging small, narrow fish like sailfish and shortbill
spearfish, then it would be better to shorten the pin. Manufactured tagging poles are
available at most retail sportfishing stores. It is important to check the length of the
applicator pin installed on these poles to ensure the length of the tip matches the fish
you are seeking. Some manufacturers produce tagging poles that have pin lengths that
are adjustable by moving the stopper.

Page 13

2008 Billfish Newsletter

Photo was taken by Angela Williams onboard the Vixen, skippered by Capt. Renny Boyd. The blue marlin in the photo
was being released back into the water with yellow spaghetti tag properly inserted into back muscle below the tallest part
of the dorsal fin.
PAPER REDUCTION ACT NOTIFICATION

SHARK RESEARCH PROGRAM

NOAA Fisheries needs this information for the
conservation and management of fishery resources.
The information will be used for billfish research. Public
reporting burden for the Billfish Angler Survey card is
estimated to average five minutes per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the
data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. The reporting burden to
complete the Billfish Tagging Report is estimated to
average five minutes per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources,
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and
completing and reviewing the collection of information.
Send comments regarding this burden estimate to the
SWFSC, 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA
92037. The information submitted will become a public
record. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law,
no person is required to, nor shall any person be subject
to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of
information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act, unless that collection of information
displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

The SWFSC’s Large Pelagics group has a significant
shark research program. Tagged and recaptured sharks in
that program are mentioned here as general interest and
because we need your support to look for bright yellow
and/or white tags on the dorsal fin of shortfin mako, blue,
and thresher sharks. These specially tagged sharks are
part of our age and growth studies and are very important.
These sharks were tagged with oxytetracycline which
leaves a growth mark on the shark’s vertebrae. We offer a
US$100.00 reward for the return of the tag with a four
inch section of the vertebrae. Please notify this office as
soon as possible if you catch one of these tagged sharks.

Blue Shark
Prionace glauca

2008 Billfish Newsletter

Page 14

SEND US YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS

SURVEY RESPONSE

This years cover photo is provided by Kydd
Pollock. The photo is of Kydd holding a sailfish
that he caught and released off the Kona coast of
the big island of Hawaii.

BILLFISH ANGLER SURVEY cards for fishing in the
2008 calendar year were mailed in early 2009 If you
have not already, please complete the survey and
return the post-paid form as soon as possible.
Additional 2008 Angler Survey forms are available to
all billfish anglers by contacting this office, or they
can be downloaded from our website. See
http://swfsc.noaa.gov/frd-billfish.aspx. We hope to
implement an online submission system in the
future. U.S. Government regulations require we
purge our mailing list each year. If you wish to
continue to receive the Billfish Newsletter but did not
fish, please indicate “NO FISHING” on the Billfish
Angler Survey form and return it to the SWFSC. Your
name will be retained on our mailing list. Your
continued response to the Billfish Angler Survey is
needed to monitor changes in abundance of billfish
stocks important to recreational fisheries.

We are looking for good photographs of billfish for
the cover of next year's Billfish Newsletter. Color
or black-and-white photos of billfish and/or fishing
ac
activities are appropriate. We would
appreciate your sharing of photos
and will give you full credit in
the 2009 issue.
A billfish baseball cap and
plaque will be awarded
to the winning
photographer.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The information reported here would not be possible without the cooperation of thousands of anglers and
volunteers who support these investigations. Their efforts and assistance are greatly appreciated.
We also thank Daniel Yanagi and Ofelia Ramirez who helped enter and tabulate the data for this newsletter,
and Roy Allen who designed and produced the Newsletter. This and past Billfish Newsletters, and the
2008 Angler Survey form, can also be accessed through the SWFSC’s webpage at http://swfsc.noaa.gov/frdbillfish.aspx. We welcome reader comments and suggestions concerning the content of the Billfish
Newsletter.

Fine fishing for now and forever!
Suzanne Kohin, Fishery Biologist
James Wraith, Fishery Biologist
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
8604 La Jolla Shores Drive
La Jolla, CA 92037-1508
Phone - (858) 334-2800
FAX - (858) 546-7003
email: suzanne.kohin@noaa.gov
james.wraith@noaa.gov

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
8604 La Jolla Shores Drive
La Jolla, California 92037-1508

“Take Along”
Tagging Guide

Fly
Tag the
ging
Flag
!

1. BEFORE YOU CATCH YOUR FISH:

First decide if you plan to tag and release any fish caught. If so, use a circle hook which reduces deep or foul
hooking when bait fishing or a single circle or single ‘J’ hook if trolling. Do not use double rigged ‘J’ hooks when
releasing your catch.

2. WHILE FISHING:
Never attempt to tag a fish while it is jumping or thrashing about. Bring your fish to leader as quickly as possible
but wait until the fish is calm and swimming beside the boat before tagging.

3. TAGGING:
Tag the fish as it is being towed alongside the boat by inserting the tag in the back muscle below the tallest part of the
dorsal fin. Avoid the gills, head, and stomach. Take care not to allow your fish to injure itself on the vessel’s
transom or hull.

4. RELEASING:
Revive all fish by slowly towing it through the water, allowing water to flow over the gills until its normal color
returns and it begins to swim on its own. Remove the hook with a good pair of pliers, or if deeply hooked in the
throat or stomach, release it by cutting the leader as close to the hook as possible.

5. COMPLETE THE BILLFISH TAGGING REPORT CARD:
Fill out the yellow Billfish Tagging Report card completely and as accurately as possible indicating latitude and
longitude, date of release, estimated length (lower jaw-to-fork length; LJFL) and estimated weight of the fish.
Include name and mailing address of the angler and boat captain and other remarks as appropriate. Return cards
promptly to the Southwest Fisheries Science Center.
PLEASE NOTE: Billfish recaptures without tag release
information now stand at 12 percent. This equates to
nearly 6,400 billfish that have been tagged without the
release information being returned to the SWFSC.
Make your tagging effort count. Tag and release
your fish skillfully and return the yellow
BILLFISH TAGGING REPORT promptly.
Though easily forgotten in the
heat of battle and glow of success,
returning the card is the most
critical and final step in tagging your fish.

Fill out the card completely and
as accurately as possible.
Indicate latitude, longitude and
locally known fishing area.
Estimate the length of the fish as
"tip of lower jaw-to-fork" length (LJFL).
Estimate weight of the fish.
Include any remarks, club name and
complete address of the angler and
the boat captain.
Return cards promptly to the Southwest
Fisheries Science Center. Tagging is
of no value unless this Billfish Tagging
Report card is returned. Postage is
paid if mailed in the U.S.A.

EFL
LJFL
JFL

COMPLETING THE BILLFISH
TAGGING REPORT CARD
NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service

BILLFISH TAGGING REPORT

If mailing outside USA, postage must be affixed
Please return card, Otherwise tagging is of no value

TAG #: A33333
33° 14' N
Longitude: 118°14' W
East End Catalina Is. CA
Locality:
Striped Marlin
6/10/98
Species:
Date:
72
140
Estimate length (tip of jaw to fork of tail):
inches. Weight:
Plastic Lure
Fish Condition: Good
Bait type:
Bill Fish
Angler:
Fight time (minutes): 23
P.O. Box 271 La Jolla, CA
Address:
Zip: 92038
Anglers Club
Club:
Capt. Joe Dew
Good Grief
Captain:
Boat name:
P.O. Box 271 La Jolla, CA
92038
Address:
Zip:
PLEASE FILL IN DETAILS AND MAIL TODAY.
Latitude:

Response to this form is voluntary.
OMB 0648-0009, expiration date 08/31/2001
NOAA 88-162, 2/99

lbs.

e
Fly th
!
g Flag
Taggin

“Take Along”
Identification Guide

Black marlin

Swordfish

dorsal fin height (a) about
half body height (b)

sword-like bill with smooth surface

(a)

no bands
no bands

(b)

pectoral fins rigid
cannot flatten against body

pectoral fins rigid

one caudal
keel per side

* no pelvic fins present

Blue marlin

Shortbill spearfish

dorsal fin height (a) half to
three quarters body height (b)

short bill

no bands

(a) vertical bands
(b)

pectoral fins not rigid
can flatten against body

short pectoral fins
not rigid

two caudal
keels per side

* body more stout than striped marlin

Striped marlin

Sailfish

dorsal fin height (a) greater
than body height (b)

very tall dorsal fin

vertical bands

(a) vertical bands
(b)
pectoral fins not rigid
can flatten against body
* body more compressed than blue marlin

long pelvic fins
pectoral fins not rigid
can flatten against body