"The purpose of this report is to present summaries of the data for Atlantic swordfish and tunas from these data collection programs. This is the thirteenth annual summary of these statistics that the SEFSC has prepared. The report contains data on swordfish landings, size frequency data, catch per unit effort and estimates of bycatch by the fleet of commercial longline vessels that catches these highly migratory species. The report also contains data from the tagging program and information on the cost and expenses that are incurred by large pelagic longline vessels. A review of the types of mandatory reporting required for vessels with commercial permits for swordfish and sharks, and mandatory reporting by dealers with federal permits for these fisheries is also presented"--Introduction, paragraph 3.

Public Domain