Blue marlin action, like this release from last year’s Bahamas Billfish Championship Marsh Harbour Championship, has been getting closer and close to Florida anglers, thanks to new technology and to a reported increase in marlin sightings near Florida.

In the May 2008 issue of FS, now on newsstands, Editor Jeff Weakley explores the range of options for recording billfish captures. Many tournaments are now all photo- or video-release only, with no killing of fish for the scales. Furthermore, our sources indicate an uptick in encounters with blue and white marlin along Florida shores.

All of which leads to some vital questions about the future of our wide-roaming marlins.

Recently we spoke with Ellen Peel, President of The Billfish Foundation www.billfishfoundation.org. TBF recently celebrated its 20th year of advocacy. Among many projects, TBF has advocated for billfish tagging and research programs; domestic and international policies for the release of marlins caught incidentally by commercial fleets; and longline area closures.

FS: We've been hearing of an unusual number of white marlin catches this spring, especially along the southeastern Florida coastline. What do you make of it?
EP: The stock assessment last year showed a slight increase in white marlin, which is really encouraging. We hope it indicates a true beginning of recovery. It certainly coincides with what you said. Not just in Florida, but also around the Gulf of Mexico and up the east Coast and Bermuda. What anglers are seeing is encouraging. The next assessment is in three years; we hope to see confirmation that the increases have continued.

FS: In a nutshell, what's happened?
EP: Measures approved at ICCAT [International Coalition for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas] in 2000 were the very first meaningful measures. What was approved at ICCAT, requires longline boats to reduce billfish catches. That was adapted and applied to U.S. waters, but certainly had already been in the books here. The new measures were primarily directed at other countries.

Locally, here in Florida, the absence of longline gear within closed zones, certainly would've contributed to reducing mortality.

FS: What are some continuing threats to our marlin stocks?
EP: We are, as probably all anglers in Florida are, concerned about the experimental or exempted longline permits approved off Florida from Ft. Pierce north. We're meeting next week with NMFS [National Marine Fisheries Service] for a response on what the bycatch rates have been, on white and blue marlin and sailfish.

FS: What have you seen, as far as numbers of fish tagged in Florida waters?
EP: We have seen increases in certain areas. Anglers are reporting seeing more white marlin, and we want to urge anglers to tag the white marlin. This is very important. So many people have tagged blues--and we want to keep that going--but it's very important to get more data on white marlin. More tags means more recapture data, which is important data to scientists. So take time to tag. Information voids work against us.

FS: How can anglers get involved with tagging?
EP: It's easy to tag fish; if you don't know how, we'll send a free video. And you know, satellite tags are incredible tools for different data, but they can't stay on 5, 10, 20 years, where traditional tags can. For more anglers can held with traditional tagging, and we want to applaud that. Call TBF and talk to either Peter or David. [TBF phone: 800-438-8247; 954-938-0150]

FS: Do you see any other obstacles to the recovery of marlins?
EP: We're putting renewed force in reducing bycatch and bycatch mortality on pelagic longline gear. But there's also purse seine gear, and some fish are taken on the east coast in small gillnets. Overall it's time that we start realizing that fishery management must focus on sustaining fish populations, not sustaining gear types. Bycatch species have been treated as forgotten species. There's been a thrust toward targeting commercially caught fish for consumptive market.

Fish are hugely important, and it's time to reverse the paradigm.

For instance, we're pushing the government to do more research on greenstick [pole and line] fishing as a substitute for longlining in some areas, and for additional closures in the Gulf--where bluefin tunas as well as marlins and sea turtles continued to be hammered.

FS: What do you think about the trend toward video on sportfishing boats?
EP: I think it's fantastic. It certainly captures the action for judges and anglers to enjoy later. Once video is approved and accepted by a tournament committee, it becomes the most exciting entertainment I've seen for crowds. Most anglers come to see big fish, to be amazed at the sizes. We've seen this happen, this year the Bay Point in Panama City is going all-release. For those who've never been out on a billfish boat, and those who have, they'll all get excited when they see great footage, and anglers using their skills.

FS: Will this video footage provide any utility to science?
EP: Scientists surely applaud what it's doing, as it's helping ensure more fish are released. It contributes to conservation by reinforcing the release ethic. That you can have a big tournament, even pay money, based on live releases, is awfully cool.

FS: I know TBF is very involved globally. What new angles are you pursuing?
EP: TBF just entered into an agreement, at the invitation of Central American countries, to develop a billfish conservation plan.

Also, the Peruvian government contacted us eight months ago, wanting TBF to help them develop conservation measures to revive the Cabo Blanco fishery which was so hot in the '50s. I said to Peru's minister of production over fisheries, "I think it's helpful for you to come to the Miami Boat Show, and look at the business and economics that follow sportfishing." They came and were absolutely amazed. Russ Nelson [Ph.D., TBF Scientist] is in Peru right now, working on data for a draft resolution which we'll sign next Tuesday. Then we're off to Cabo Blanco for an exploratory tournament.

FS: What happened in Cabo Blanco's fishery?
EP: After the 1950s, they overfished the anchories, a primary marlin forage, and the Shining Path group was active there, so visitors didn't feel comfortable. With two El Ninos and the anchovy collapse, the marlin didn't come as close. Now that the government is stable, they're understanding that good conservation pays, saying they want to use the same practices to revitalize fisheries. Peru's had longline boats, purse seines, gillnet boats.