"This paper presents corrected catch histories, standardized catch rates, and evaluations of the accuracy of federally mandated commercial logbooks for billfishes (Istiophoridae: blue marlin, Makaira nigricans; striped marlin, Tetrapturus audax; shortbill spearfish, T. angustirostris; black marlin, M. indica; and sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus) taken as incidental catch by the Hawaii-based longline fishery. The study (March 1994-February 2004) was conducted because billfish misidentifications in logbooks caused by similarities in body size, shape, and coloration have long represented a major challenge in monitoring this fishery. The objective was to improve understanding of the composition and magnitude of incidental billfish catches."

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

Hawaii