2011 Billfish Tagging Report

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Movements and Behavior:
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2011 Billfish Newsletter
P R O LO G U E
This is the 48th 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.
Dr. Francisco Werner
Director, Southwest Fisheries Science Center

INTRODUCTION
The 2011 Billfish Newsletter describes ongoing
billfish research projects conducted at the NOAA
Fisheries Southwest Fisheries Science Center. The
results of the 2010 International Billfish Angler
Survey 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 important to
facilitate the monitoring and conservation of these
magnificent fish.

INTERNATIONAL
BILLFISH ANGLER SURVEY
The Billfish Angler Survey provides comprehensive
estimates of recreational billfish angling success for
the Pacific Ocean. This collection of recreational
billfish catch and effort data began in 1969 and now
provides a 42-year index of fishing success in many
areas of the Pacific. Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE),
also referred to as catch rate, 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 in CPUE tracked over time serve as an
indicator of changes in the health of billfish stocks.
These indices of relative abundance are important to
scientists because the information is used for
analyses of stock condition, developing
management options, and monitoring fishery
interactions.
In order to improve the reliability of the catch and
effort statistics, we encourage anglers to submit
Angler Survey cards.
The Survey cards are
mailed to anglers who have previously submitted a
completed International Billfish Angler Survey card

Page 2

or Billfish Tagging card in the last three years. If you or someone
you know does not currently receive the Angler Survey or would like
to receive additional cards, 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/FRDBillfish/.
Fishing effort, in angler fishing days, and CPUE, in billfish catch per
angler fishing day, are shown by location in Table 1 for all billfish
reported caught in 2010. The Angler Survey results are primarily
from Pacific locations, although anglers also reported fishing
activity in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Survey results indicated
that 2010 was a slow fishing year for many reasons. The overall
catch rate reported for most locations was down in 2010.
Throughout all locations, anglers reported catching 1,737 billfish
during 3,814 angler fishing days (0.46 CPUE). This catch rate is
slightly below the average annual catch rate (0.50 CPUE) and well
below the most recent 5-year annual average (2005-2009; 0.64
CPUE). The number of respondents was also down. A total of 487
anglers responded in 2010. Only six times since 1984 has the
number of respondents dropped below 500. Perhaps anglers are less
inclined to respond during years that they have either not caught fish
or have not spent time on the water. Indeed, 144 respondents, or 30
percent of the anglers that sent in Survey responses indicated no
fishing in 2010, which is the highest percentage of non-fishing
respondents in Survey history. As a result, the total number of
fishing days reported was the lowest on record. Those respondents
that did fish and reported at least one fishing day in 2010 averaged
14.4 days. This was below average (16.6) but is the highest value
reported since 2002.
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. The
reported blue marlin catch per angler fishing day (CPUE) has
trended down in several places in the central Pacific over the last
three years, including Hawaii and Tahiti (Figure 1a). Nevertheless,
the 2010 blue marlin CPUE off Hawaii has remained above average,
as Hawaii anglers reported catching 0.22 blue marlin per angler
fishing day. Hawaii has a very strong representation of respondents
each year and catch rate reports from this area should be an excellent
indicator of what’s happening around the islands. A little less robust
are the data from Tahiti; only seven people reported fishing in this
area during 2010. Those seven respondents fished a combined 166
days and caught 0.13 blue marlin per angler fishing day. In the
northeastern Pacific, blue marlin CPUE off Baja California, Mexico
has increased since a relatively low catch rete was reported in 2008.
In 2010, survey respondents reported catching 0.70 blue marlin per
angler fishing day off Baja. This catch rate is the median reported
rate for this area. Numerous anglers also reported catch and effort
from Central America in 2010. Blue marlin CPUE from Panama,
Costa Rica, and Guatemala were 0.15, 0.09, and 0.22, respectively.
In the northwestern Pacific, the blue marlin catch rate was relatively
high compared to previous years. Blue marlin CPUE off Japan was
0.25, which is the fourth highest since 1984 and well above average
(0.09). Blue marlin CPUE was also reported from New Zealand,
central and southern Mexico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Tonga, Ascension
Island, Columbia, Fiji, and Bermuda.

Page 3

2011 Billfish Newsletter

Table 1. Catch and effort reported for the 2010 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 (BM); black marlin (BK); shortbill spearfish (SB); sailfish (SF); longbill
spearfish (LB); and white marlin (WM).
ANGLER
FISHING
DAYS

LOCATION

NUMBER
OF
BILLFISH

BILLFISH
PER
FISHING
DAY
(CPUE)

MAJOR
SPECIES

LOCATION

NUMBER
OF
BILLFISH

BILLFISH
PER
FISHING
DAY
(CPUE)

MAJOR
SPECIES

ATLANTIC OCEAN

PACIFIC OCEAN
Acapulco/Ixtapa/
Zihuatanejo, Guerrero

ANGLER
FISHING
DAYS

101

110

1.09

SF

Ascension Island

14

4

0.29

BM/LB

71

37

0.52

BK

Bahamas

11

2

0.18

BM

634

377

0.59

SM

Bermuda

1

1

1.00

BM

Colombia

6

6

1.00

BK

19

21

1.11

BM

Costa Rica

59

114

1.93

SF

British or U.S.
Virgin Islands
Cancun/Isla Mujeres/
Yucatan

4

14

3.50

SF

Fiji

15

4

0.27

SF

Caribbean

20

11

0.55

BM

Galapagos Islands

7

11

1.57

SM

Florida

22

14

0.64

SF

Guam

2

0

0.00

Gulf of Mexico

9

1

0.00

WM

Guatemala

18

194

10.78

SF

Honduras

2

0

0.00

2

1

0.50

SM

Maryland

3

4

0.00

1,685

561

0.33

BM

Miami or Keys

1

0

0.00

Huatulco, Oaxaca

2

1

0.50

SF

Japan

65

19

0.29

BM

Malaysia

8

25

3.13

SF

Manzanillo, Colima

44

11

0.25

SF

Mazatlan, Sinaloa

23

17

0.74

SF

New Zealand

87

41

0.47

SM

3

0

0.00

Panama

60

31

0.52

SF

Puerto Vallarta,
Jalisco

20

10

0.50

SF

Samoa

20

1

0.05

SF

Solomon Is./New
Caledonia/Vanuatu

10

1

0.10

BK

Southern California

540

19

0.04

SM

Tahiti

166

25

0.15

BM

Tonga

11

4

0.36

BM

Australia
Baja California/
Baja California Sur

Guaymas, Sonora
Hawaii

Northern Mariana Is.

STRIPED MARLIN
Striped marlin is the most common billfish species
encountered by anglers off southern California and
northern Mexico, and off New Zealand. Striped marlin
catch was reported from 15 separate locations in 2010 and
results varied by region. According to Survey respondents,
2010 was not a good year for catching striped marlin off the
coast of southern California where the reported CPUE was

WM

INDIAN OCEAN
Kenya

3

7

2.33

Mauritius

8

0

0.00

3,814

1,737

0.46

Total

SF

0.03. This was equal to the lowest value reported from this
area in Survey history. Reporting years 1973 and 2002
were the only other times the striped marlin CPUE has
been this low (Figure 1b). For many anglers this may not
come as a complete surprise. Water temperatures in the
northeast Pacific were well below average during the peak
season, from July through October, as La Niña conditions
moved into the area. In fact, the unusually low water
temperatures seemed to have a negative effect on much of
the large pelagic catch off southern California according
to reports from local anglers. South of the border,
respondents reported 0.39 striped marlin CPUE
throughout all of Mexico. This was a slight increase to
what was reported in 2009 (0.38). Delving into different
parts of Mexico, we see a different trend from the
northwestern peninsula of Mexico, Baja California. Baja
has traditionally been a popular destination for striped
marlin according to our survey respondents The average
CPUE reported from Baja California since 1984 is 0.60,
and as recently as 2007 the reported striped marlin CPUE
has been as high as 1.7. However, since 2007 the striped
marlin CPUE has decreased each year. The striped marlin
CPUE dropped from 0.55 in 2009 to 0.45 in 2010. A
downward trend in striped marlin CPUE has also occurred
off Hawaii since a record high year in 2003. In fact, the
2010 CPUE (0.02) was the lowest in over 25 years.

2011 Billfish Newsletter

Page 4

However, the striped marlin story does have some positive
notes. Numerous anglers reported their fishing efforts off the
coast of New Zealand where a striped marlin CPUE of 0.36
was reported. This was the fourth highest striped marlin catch
rate reported from a Pacific location in 2010. The location
with the highest CPUE was Galapagos Islands where anglers
caught 1.57 striped marlin per angler fishing day. Striped
marlin CPUE was also reported from Guatemala, Fiji, Costa
Rica, Japan, and Tahiti. A few anglers in the Atlantic also
reported catching 5 closely related white marlin.

the black marlin catch rate reported off Australia is usually
higher than other locations. In 2010, this was also the case.
Survey respondents reported catching 0.52 black marlin per
angler fishing day off Australia (Figure 1d). Relative to
previous years, this is slightly lower than Australia’s
average black marlin CPUE but slightly higher that what
was reported in 2009. Conversely, the black marlin catch
rate reported off the coast of Panama plummeted in
comparison to the previous year. Black marlin catch rate off
Panama was 0.07 in 2010, which was the third lowest CPUE
reported from this location. Many anglers will argue that
Panama is a premier spot in the eastern Pacific for black
marlin, so hopefully the coming years will bring better
numbers. Off the coast of neighboring Costa Rica, survey
respondents reported capturing 0.03 black marlin per angler
fishing day. Looking further up the coast, anglers reported
catching only a few black marlin from two locations off
Mexico. There were two black marlin reported captured
from each location: Puerto Vallarta and Baja California. In
previous years, as recently as 2009, black marlin captures
have been reported as far north as southern California.
However, in 2010 Survey respondents did not catch any
black marlin north of Mexico. Black marlin CPUE was
reported from several other locations, including Columbia,
Solomon Islands, Japan, and Hawaii.

SAILFISH
Sailfish prefer tropical habitat and are abundant in eastern
Pacific coastal and offshore waters from Mexico to Ecuador.
In many of the popular sailfish destinations in the eastern
Pacific, sailfish catch was down in 2010 compared to recent
years. Throughout Mexico, anglers reported catching 0.18
sailfish per day, the lowest catch rate there in over a decade.
Within Mexico, anglers reported higher catch rates south of the
tip of Baja California. The sailfish CPUE from central and
southern Mexico was 0.67, which was relatively low for this
region, but greater than what respondents reported in 2009.
This number includes reports from Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta,
Manzanillo, Zihuatanejo, Acapulco, and Huatulco.
In
contrast, 0.04 sailfish were caught per angler fishing day off
Baja California, Mexico. Further south, survey respondents
reported catching sailfish off many Central American
countries. Once again, Guatemala was a highlight where
anglers caught over ten sailfish per angler fishing day (10.44).
This catch rate was slightly down from 2009 but is the second
highest sailfish catch rate reported from this country and is the
highest sailfish catch rate reported from any location in 2010.
Numerous respondents reported fishing off Costa Rica and all
of them had success catching sailfish. The overall catch rate
from this location was 1.78 sailfish per day, which was a slight
increase from the previous year. Off Panama, anglers
indicated a lower sailfish catch rate compared to other
locations in Central America; CPUE was 0.30. Anglers also
reported sailfish CPUE from other parts of the world. From
the central and western Pacific survey respondents reported
sailfish CPUE from Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, Fiji and Malaysia.
In fact, respondents caught over 3 sailfish per angler fishing
day off the coast of Malaysia. In the Atlantic Ocean,
respondents reported sailfish CPUE off the coast of Florida
(0.50). In the Gulf of Mexico, 2.25 sailfish were caught per
angler fishing day off the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. And, in
the Indian Ocean anglers reported 1.33 sailfish per angler
fishing day off the coast of Kenya. Figure 1c shows the trend
in catch rates over time for Central America countries with
historically high reporting rates and all of Mexico combined.

SHORTBILL SPEARFISH
The shortbill spearfish is an oceanic species with a
distribution across tropical and temperate Pacific Ocean
waters with limited abundance near Hawaii, Mexico,
Central America, and the west coasts of the U.S. Shortbills
are also infrequently encountered in the Atlantic Ocean, but
it is thought that the primary populations and spawning
grounds are within the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Most
reports of shortbill spearfish catch by Survey anglers
occurred off Hawaii. In 2010, anglers fishing off the coast
of Hawaii reported catching 0.09 shortbill spearfish per
angler fishing day, which is consistent with most previous
years. Survey respondents have averaged approximately
2000 fishing days off Hawaii over the last three years and
close to 160 spearfish are captured each year. The 2010
shortbill CPUE off Hawaii is a result 149 captures during a
total of 1,685 anglers fishing days. Only 2 other shortbill
spearfish were reported caught during 2010 in Tahiti (1) and
the Caribbean (1). Also, at Ascension Island two longbill
spearfish were caught.

BROADBILL SWORDFISH
BLACK MARLIN
Black marlin are typically found in tropical and subtropical
waters and occasionally frequent temperate areas. According
to Survey respondents, at many locations where black
marlin are encountered by anglers they are caught in fewer
numbers than other billfish species also found in those
areas. However, in Australia, black marlin are the most
common species encountered by billfish anglers. Moreover,

Fishing for swordfish differs from other billfishing in that
the fish are generally targeted at night. Broadbill swordfish
are a commercially important fish but have historically not
been taken in high numbers by recreational anglers in the
Pacific. Even so, a few recreational anglers responded to
the International Billfish Angler Survey with positive
swordfish catch off New Zealand (6), Florida (3), Kenya
(3), southern California (2), and Hawaii (1).

Page 5

2011 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 2009 2011

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 2009 2011

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 2009 2011

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 2009 2011

YEAR
Figure 1. Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) in number of fish per angler fishing day reported by region from 1969 to
2010 for Pacific blue marlin (A), striped marlin (B), Pacific sailfish (C), and black marlin (D).

2011 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 49 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 captains and anglers,
sportfishing organizations, and commercial fishers. Since
its inception, over 62,000 fish 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 through other
collaborations and independent research efforts 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. We
encourage all anglers to tag and release live billfish, so if
you would like to participate in our tagging program,
please let us know and we will send you tags!

We send our thanks to everyone who contributed to the
tagging effort during the 2010 calendar year and to everyone
who continues to support our program. We are pleased to
report that several hundred tags were released across the
Pacific Ocean. However, the tagging effort had a substantial
drop in 2010. A total of 416 tags were released on billfish in
2010, which was a 52 percent reduction from the previous
year. In fact, nearly all billfish species were tagged in fewer
numbers compared to 2009.
The most substantial
difference was a decline in sailfish tags, a reduction of 62
percent. This followed a 23 percent drop in sailfish tag
releases from 2008 to 2009. Blue marlin tag releases also
fell to less than half the number released the previous year.
Additionally, shortbill spearfish were tagged in fewer
numbers. Thirty-three shortbill spearfish were tagged and
released in 2010, which was a 48 percent reduction from the
previous year. Lastly, striped marlin tag releases dropped
from 72 in 2009 to 43 in 2010, a 40 percent reduction. It is
difficult to know with certainty what happened in 2010, but
this could be related to the relatively low effort and catch
rates reported from many locations in the 2010 Billfish
Angler Survey.

Blue Shark
Prionace glauca

Page 6
Table 2. Summary of all fish tagged in 2010 with releases
and recoveries for the period 1963-2010. The pelagic
sharks and albacore were tagged during NOAA SWFSC
research operations.
Species Name
Striped Marlin

Release
2010

Release
Total

Return Return
Total Rate %

43

22,934

345

1.50

307

10,765

90

0.84

22

9,201

49

0.53

Billfish, unid.

9

4,386

6

0.14

Black Marlin

2

3,387

69

2.04

Shortfin Mako Shark

56

2,303

217

9.42

Shortbill Spearfish

33

2,145

2

0.09

Common Thresher

274

1,330

78

5.86

Blue Shark

196

1,226

126

10.28

33

749

29

3.87

Broadbill Swordfish

0

521

17

3.26

Yellowfin Tuna

0

349

25

7.16

Pacific Blue Marlin
Sailfish

Albacore Tuna

Skipjack Tuna

0

100

2

2.00

Bigeye Tuna

0

79

2

2.53

Bluefin Tuna

0

58

8

13.79

Hammerhead Shark

0

55

2

3.64

Bronze Whaler Shark

0

51

3

5.88

Leopard Shark

0

45

8

17.78

Whitetip Shark

0

44

1

2.27

Atlantic Blue Marlin

0

43

0

0.00

Soupfin Shark

0

33

1

3.03

Salmon Shark

0

33

3

9.09

Silky Shark

0

21

0

0.00

White Marlin

0

13

1

7.69

Basking Shark

0

7

0

0.00

Longbill Spearfish

0

3

0

0.00

Other Tunas

0

21

1

4.76

All Others
Total

3

2,538

114

4.49

978

62,440

1,199

1.92

SHARK RESEARCH PROGRAM
The SWFSC’s Large Pelagics group has a significant
shark research program. Tagged and recaptured sharks
in that program are mentioned here for 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.

Page 7

2011 Billfish Newsletter

Table 3. Summary of billfish tagged during 2010, by
region.
AREA

SPECIES

TOTAL

PACIFIC OCEAN
Hawaii

Baja California/
Baja California Sur
Acapulco / Ixtapa /
Zihuatanejo, Guerrero
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Fiji

Manzanillo, Colima
Marshall Islands
Southern California
Tahiti
Samoa

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

297
33
8
1
24
2
8
13
1
3
3
2
2
3
2
2
3
2
1
2
1
1
1

ATLANTIC OCEAN
Florida
Total

Sailfish

1
416

Striped Marlin
Kajiki audax

Table 3 shows the tagging effort during 2010, by area,
for all billfish tagged. Most billfish were tagged and
released in U.S. or Mexican waters; however, billfish
were also tagged and released by anglers in many
locations across the Pacific, including Fiji, Samoa,
Tahiti, and the Marshall islands. In the Atlantic Ocean,
one sailfish was tagged off Florida. A total of 339 tags
were deployed on billfish off Hawaii, representing over
80 percent of the tagging effort. Relative to other
locations, we have had tremendous tagging success out
of Hawaii in recent years. The majority of tags released
off Hawaii in 2010 were on blue marlin, a total of 297.
This was down from 2009 when 651 blues were tagged
in this area. The Angler Survey indicated a slight drop
in the blue marlin catch rate off Hawaii, potentially
contributing to the drop in released tags. We saw a
similar trend in southern California, where striped
marlin are commonly tagged by our faithful taggers.
Only 1 tag was released off southern California in 2010,
but as mentioned earlier, contributing factors led to a
slow billfish season is this area and the reported striped
marlin catch rate for 2010 was the lowest on record. To
the south, tagging anglers fishing off Mexico remained
active. The tip of Baja, including the fishing towns of
Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos, and La Paz, has
historically been considered a hot spot for catching
several billfish species, and in 2010 most of the Mexico
tagging effort was concentrated in this area. The
majority of tags released off Baja were on striped
marlin. In fact, more striped marlin were tagged off
Baja in 2010 than the previous year, which is extremely
encouraging after Survey respondents indicated 2010
was a slow year for catching striped marlin in this area.
Several species including blue marlin, sailfish, black
marlin, and striped marlin were also tagged elsewhere in
Mexico including Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo,
Zihuatanejo, and Acapulco. From this list of locations
anglers in Guerrero including the ports of Zihuatanejo
and Acapulco led the sailfish tagging charge with 13
releases. This part of Mexico has traditionally been
popular among taggers and we hope to see efforts
continue to thrive. Thanks to everyone, in particular our
far reaching anglers tagging from the many Pacific
islands.

Black Marlin
Makaira indica

Broadbill
Swordfish
Broadbill
Swordfish
Xiphias Xiphias
gladius gladius

Fly the
Tagging Flag!

2011 Billfish Newsletter

Page 8

TOP ANGLERS AND CAPTAINS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Table 4. Names of anglers tagging two or more billfish during 2010, by area.
ANGLER NAME

BILLFISH
TAGGED

ANGLER NAME

HAWAII cont.

BAJA CALIFORNIA, BAJA CA SUR
Neal Shaver
Sean Pavlich
John Shaver
Steven Shaver
Dean McDavid
Don Anderson
Steve Maldonado
Peter Libkind

6
4
2
2
2
2
2
2

PUERTO VALLARTA, JALISCO
Clarke Smith

7

MANZANILLO, COLIMA
Howard Bond

4

ACAPULCO/IXTAPA/
- ZIHUATANEJO, GUERRERO
Gary Paxton
Paul Marchant
Shebly Cuellar
Alan Harber

4
2
2
2

HAWAII
Steve Spina
Bridget Hurlbut
Janet B. Martic
Barry Alty
Randy Weih
John C. Hurlbut
Paulette Pama
Ron Gilson
Carmen McIntyre
Chris Gamrot
Rob McCarthy
Hideyo Hoshino

8
6
6
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3

We appreciate the cooperation of
anglers and captains who tag and
release billfish. Over 300 anglers
reported a billfish tag release during
2010. Individual recognition of the
56 anglers who reported two or
more billfish tag releases is
presented in Table 4. Steve Spina
released more tags than any other
angler during 2010. Steve released
8 tags off Hawaii. He is often one of
our best contributors and we
appreciate his efforts.
Bridget
Hurlbut and Janet Martic also
deserve recognition for each tagging
six billfish off the coast of Hawaii.
Other notables that released more
than three tags on billfish off Hawaii
include Barry Alty, Randy Weih,
and John Hurlbut. Anglers were also
very active taggers off the coast of
Mexico. Clarke Smith released the
second highest number of tags out
of all of our contributing
recreational anglers. Clarke
released seven tags near Puerto
Vallarta, Mexico. Neal Shaver led
the angler tagging effort off of Baja

BILLFISH
TAGGED

Debbi David
Andrew Kyle Albenesius
Angelo J. Rossi
Allen McGee
Christopher Bolin
Dana Fennell
Brad Bobbermien
Matt Guzik
Walter Parish
Todd Kole
Scott Thompson
Sally L. Kurz
Saeid Hoorazar
Peter T. Cohen
Kevin Jennier
Daron Castoro
Michael Lavecchia
Donald Brandt
Masaharu Matsushita
Lynn J. Moorhouse
Lou Groebner
Kirby Carter
Ken Onion
Keiji Matsuba
Justin Bernal
Jim Robinson
James Hutton
Neil Williamson

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

MARSHALL ISLANDS
Karness Kusto

2

FIJI
Geoff Eden

2

California, Mexico with 6 tag releases.
Several other members of the Shaver
clan also contributed to the tagging
effort in this region. Sean Pavlich (4
releases) also made a significant
tagging contribution off Baja in 2010.
Gary Paxton and Howard Bond were
the top taggers off the Mexican states
of Guerrero and Colima, respectively.
Finally, special thanks to Geoff Eden
(Fiji) and Karness Kusto (Marshall
Islands) for their tagging efforts in the
western Pacific.
Charter and private boat captains who
support billfish tag and release (and
catch and release) play an important
role by supporting ethical angling and
conservation stewardship of the
marine environment. They set an
example by demonstrating skillful
release of their billfish catch. During
2010, 95 captains reported tagging
billfish with their anglers and clients.
We gratefully acknowledge those 57
captains who assisted with tagging two
or more billfish in specific regions
(Table 5). Eighteen captains helped

Table 5. Names of captains tagging
two or more billfish during 2010, by
area.
BILLFISH
TAGGED
BAJA CALIFORNIA/BAJA CA. SUR
CAPTAIN NAME

10
6
3
2
2
2

Tom Shaver
Mike Shrosbree
Harold Schram
Martin Collins
Luis Abaroa
Richard Hamilton

PUERTO VALLARTA, JALISCO
7
3

Manny Ocaranza
Mike Shrosbree

MANZANILLO, COLIMA
6

Howard Bond

ACAPULCO/IXTAPA/
ZIHUATANEJO, GUERRERO
14

Julio Bustos

HAWAII
Teddy Hoogs
Chuck Wigzell
Steve Epstein
Dennis Cintas
Matt Losasso
James Dean
Marlin Parker
Ken Fogarty
Chuck Wilson
John Bagwell
McGrew Rice
Jeffrey Fay
Kevin Hibbard
Rob Ellyn
Guy Terwilliger
Kerwin Masunaga
Bill Crawford
Brian (Chip) Van Mols
Kent Mongreig
Neal Isaacs
Tio Kearney
Scott Crampton
Jeff Kahl
Mike Derego
William Lazenby
Kevin M. Hogan
Lance Gelman
Larry Henry
Mark Shultz
William Dorr
Scott M. Fuller
Doug Pattengill
Don Stutheit
Robert C. Sylva, Jr.
Jason Holtz
Steven R. Fassbender
Steven D. Kaiser
Wassy Torossi
Allan Ayano
Bill Casey
Paul Warren
Jeff Metzler
Randy Llanes
Bruce Herren
Chris Kam

27
26
15
14
13
13
13
12
12
12
11
10
10
10
10
10
7
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

MARSHALL ISLANDS
2

Ben Reimers

FIJI
Justin Smith
Anil Kumar

3
2

Page 9

2011 Billfish Newsletter

tag 10 or more billfish during 2010. Captains Teddy
Hoogs and Chuck Wigzell deserve special recognition
for skippering vessels during 25 or more tag releases
within a one-year period. Both captains skipper vessels
off Hawaii. The two top captains from locations off
Mexico were Julio Bustos and Tom Shaver. These
captains each assisted with the tagging of ten or more
billfish. Julio was actively tagging off the state of
Guerrero and Tom Shaver off Baja California Sur.
Other notable captains flying the tagging flag off the
coast of Mexico include Mike Shrosbree (9 releases),
Manny Ocaranza (7 releases), and Howard Bond (6
releases). Also, special thanks goes out to our captains
supporting the tagging program from the far reaches of
the western Pacific, namely Justin Smith and Anil
Kumar who skippered during tag releases off Fiji, and
Ben Reimers off the Marshall Islands. Continued
interest and cooperation by all captains has greatly
enhanced the Billfish Tagging Program and your efforts
and conservation ethic are truly appreciated. These
efforts are a critical component of sustainable billfish
angling.
It is important that all Billfish Tagging Program report
cards be sent in as soon after tagging as possible. Please
ensure that all fields are filled out when returning
tag cards. This would be a great time to check your
tackle boxes and make sure that all Billfish Tagging
Program report cards have been sent to our office.

TAG RECOVERIES
Tag recoveries are a vital part of the Tagging Program
because they allow us to track movements of highly
migratory billfish species and monitor growth and
mortality rates. In past years, as many as 27 recoveries
have been recorded in a single year; however, in recent
years those numbers have significantly dropped. We
encourage all anglers to report tag recoveries, including
those that are re-released with or without new tags.
Two recoveries were reported in 2010 (Table 6). These
recaptures are very interesting because both fish were at
liberty for greater than one year and both were
recaptured very close to the location where they were
tagged. The first recovery of 2010 was reported by Tom
Wanzer. Tom caught a tagged Pacific blue marlin on
June 28, 2010 while fishing off the coast of Hawaii.

Table 7. Maximum net distance traveled (maximum
movement) and longest time at liberty (maximum liberty)
for billfish, tunas, and pelagic sharks tagged in conjunction
with the Billfish Tagging Program and other NOAA
SWFSC research programs, 1963-2010.

SPECIES

MAXIMUM
LIBERTY
(Days)

MAXIMUM
MOVEMENT
(nmi)

Black Marlin
Bluefin Tuna
Pacific Blue Marlin
Striped Marlin
Shortfin Mako Shark
Albacore Tuna
Broadbill Swordfish
Blue Shark
Sailfish
Yellowfin Tuna
Skipjack Tuna
Silky Shark
Common Thresher Shark
Salmon Shark
Shortbill Spearfish

1,454
1,829
1,503
3,531
1,938
751
1,681
888
1,717
324
290
175
1,389
1,547
34

5,763
5,116
4,450
3,693
3,597
3,085
2,573
2,474
932
850
575
447
426
285
173

The fish was released 13 months prior by Chad Davis and
Jerry Allen, only 63 nautical miles from the location where
Tom recaught it. The second recovery reported in 2010
was a striped marlin caught by Sonny Do, also in Hawaii.
The fish was tagged in August of 2008 by Danny Lee
Jones and Phyllis Jones. It was at liberty for over two years
before Sonny recaptured it only 75 nautical miles from the
release location. These recaptures may represent resident
behavior of fish remaining near the Hawaiian Islands, or
they may represent a seasonal return to Hawaii after
migrations to locations elsewhere in the Pacific in the
intervening months. Indeed, many tagged fish travel
thousands of miles before they are recaptured. Table 7
provides the maximum distance traveled and maximum
time at liberty for billfish and some of the other common
large pelagic species tagged in previous years. However, it
is important to realize that similar to the recoveries
reported in 2010, many of the tag recoveries that have been
reported throughout the history of the tagging program
have been over short distances even after a considerable
amount of time at liberty.

Table 6. Tag recovery information for 2010.
TAGGER/CAPTAIN

RELEASE
DATE

RELEASE
LOCATION

RECOVERY
DATE/
ANGLER

RECOVERY
LOCATION

DAYS
FREE

MILES/
DIRECTION
TRAVELED

05/31/2009

19°30’N 156°W
Hawaii

06/28/2010
Tom Wanzer

19°49’N 154°56’W
Hawaii

394

63 -NE

09/18/2010
Sonny Do

32°28’N 117°58’W
Southern California

756

75 - SE

Pacific Blue Marlin
Chad Davis
Jerry Allen

Striped Marlin
Danny Lee Jones
Phyllis Jones

08/24/2008

33°23’N 118°59’W
Southern California

2011 Billfish Newsletter

Page 10

STRIPED MARLIN MOVEMENTS AND BEHAVIOR:
A SOUTHWESTERN PACIFIC PERSPECTIVE
Striped marlin are the most widely distributed marlin species and also the most economically valuable in both recreational and
commercial fisheries. North American game fishers have long sought striped marlin off Baja and other destinations in Mexico.
Those seeking the thrill of larger fish are drawn to the summer and autumn waters of New Zealand where most of the various
International Game Fish Association (IGFA) line class world records are held for this species. The advent of satellite telemetry
technologies over the last decade has brought some fascinating new insights into their movements and behaviors. Pop-up
satellite archival tag (PSAT) studies provide a broad overview of their Pacific movement patterns, showing that those of the
eastern Pacific generally don’t move outside of the region while those from New Zealand often show greater migratory
potential1 (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Satellite tag position estimates for striped marlin in the Pacific Ocean. Colors represent original tagging region
(red=Australia, green=New Zealand, teal=Hawaii, black=California, light blue=Mexico, blue=Ecuador, purple=Costa Rica
and Panama; from Domeier, 2006).
1

Domeier, M.L., Bulletin of Marine Science 79, 811-825 (2006).

Dorado

Northern Bluefin Tuna

Coryphaena hippurus

Thunnus orientalis

Bigeye Thresher Shark

Common Thresher Shark

Pelagic Thresher Shark

Alopias superciliosus

Alopias vulpinus

Alopias pelagicus

Blue Shark
Prionace glauca

Shortfin Mako Shark
Isurus oxyrinchus

Page 11

2011 Billfish Newsletter

A more in-depth investigation of movements and
inferred behaviors of those tagged off of New Zealand
and in the Tasman Sea revealed how foraging and
transiting behaviors were related to diving patterns and
changed through time and space.

A behavior classification model revealed that Southwest
Pacific striped marlin generally foraged near the surface,
but their transitory movements (migrations) were
associated with a wider vertical range (Figure 3).

Fly the
Tagging Flag!

Figure 3. Water column occupancy by a satellite tagged striped marlin during two representative periods of January and March
2006 in the southwest Pacific Ocean. Color represents water temperature (°C), depth along the left axis, and light intensity in
grey lines scaled on the right axis (no measurement units). Labels ‘ARB’ and ‘Transit’ refer to ‘foraging’ and ‘migration’
phases, respectively (Sippel et al. 2011).

Leader man Tripp Davis works
with Captain Marlin Parker to tag
and release a lively blue marlin.
The fish was caught off the Kona
coast using a Marlin Magic Red
Eye Rukus lure. Photo was taken
by Carol Lynn onboard Marlin
Magic II.

Northern Bluefin Tuna

Thunnus orientalis

2011 Billfish Newsletter

Page 12

Like their eastern Pacific counterparts, New Zealand striped marlin spent most of their time near the surface. However,
when diving, in the southwest Pacific they descended deeper (> 1,000 feet) and spent more time below the surface (> 100
feet) overall than their eastern Pacific counterparts2,3. This may demonstrate a physiological effect related to the higher
concentrations of oxygen at depth in the Southwest Pacific enabling deeper, longer dives than in the more oxygen depleted
eastern Pacific. Southwest Pacific fish also spent more time at depth (deeper than 30 feet) during the day than at night
(Figure 4).
Surely the intrepid game fisherman, Zane Grey, would have valued this information early in the 20th century when he
traveled the world in search of Earth’s ultimate fishing experiences. Perhaps there would have been a few different twists to
the stories in his famous book Tales of the Angler’s Eldorado, New Zealand.

Night

Day
0 - 1m
1.5 - 10m
11 - 30m
31 - 50m
51 - 100m
101 - 200m
201 - 1,000m

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2
Proportion of Time (%)

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

Figure 4. Proportion of time spent at depth by striped marlin tagged in the southwest Pacific Ocean (from Sippel et al. 2011).
2
Sippel, T., Holdsworth, J., Dennis, T. & Montgomery, J. PLoS ONE 6, e21087 (2011).
3

Domeier, M.L., Dewer, H. & Nasby-Lucas, N. Marine and Freshwater Research 54, 435-446 (2003).

Page 13

2011 Billfish Newsletter

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). Use a good
grade epoxy to secure the applicator pin and seal out saltwater. Please contact our
office if you need an applicator tip.

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.

PAPER REDUCTION ACT NOTIFICATION
The federal Paper Reduction Act requires we provide the reporting burden to all Survey respondents and billfish taggers. The
reporting burden to complete the Billfish Angler Survey card and 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, P.O. Box 271, La Jolla, Ca 92038. 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.

BILLFISH ANGLER SURVEY cards for fishing in the 2011 calendar year were mailed in early 2012. If
you have not already completed the survey, please fill it out and return the post-paid form as soon as possible.
Additional 2011 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/. We update our mailing list each year, so 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 and your name will be retained on our mailing list. Your
continued response to the Billfish Angler Survey is appreciated and is critical to monitoring changes in abundance of
billfish stocks important to recreational and commercial fisheries.

2011 Billfish Newsletter

Page 14

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

Page 15

2011 Billfish Newsletter

Tagging Guide
1. BEFORE YOU CATCH YOUR FISH:
First decide if you plan to tag and release any fish caught. If so, circle hooks are preferred because they reduce
deep or foul hooking when bait fishing. We recommend that you do not use double rigged J hooks if you plan to
release 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. Check for previous tags!

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 the 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 us at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center.
PLEASE NOTE: Billfish recaptures without tag release
information now stand at roughly12 percent. This equates
to over 6,200 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.

LJFL

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.

2011 Billfish Newsletter

Page 16

SEND US YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS
Cover photo: This years winning cover photo was taken by Bob Hoose.
Black marlin caught while live-baiting the Gordo Banks off Cabo San
Lucas, Mexico. Brian Collins was the angler onboard Sea Jewel, skippered
by Captain Mike Arujo.
We are looking for good photographs of billfish for the cover of the next
Billfish Newsletter. Color or black-and-white photos of billfish and/or
fishing activities are appropriate. Digital photos are preferred, but we also
accept hard copy. We would appreciate you sharing your photos and
will give you full credit in the 2012 issue.
A billfish T-shirt 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 Roy Allen who designed the Newsletter and Tim Sippel for contributing the article on
southwest Pacific striped marlin included in this year’s Newsletter. This and past Billfish Newsletters, and
the 2011 Angler Survey form, can also be accessed through the SWFSC’s webpage at
http://swfsc.noaa.gov/FRD-Billfish/. We welcome reader comments and suggestions concerning the content
of the Billfish Newsletter.

Fine fishing for now and forever!
James Wraith and Suzanne Kohin,
Fishery Biologists
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
8604 La Jolla Shores Drive
La Jolla, CA 92037-1508
Phone - (858) 546-7000
FAX - (858) 546-7003
email: james.wraith@noaa.gov
suzanne.kohin@noaa.gov

Fly the
Tagging Flag!
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