NSW Game Fish Tournament Monitoring Program:
2016 Data Update
Danielle L. Ghosn
Images © Bernard Yau for all species except blue and black marlin © NSW DPI
Funded by:
Ghosn Consulting Services
NSW Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust
NSW Game Fishing Association
The Australian Fishing Museum Ltd
NSW Department of Primary Industries
1
NSW Game Fish Tournament Monitoring 2016 Data Update
Ghosn Consulting Services
Project objective:
Support fishery sustainability and quality recreational fishing opportunities for game
fish species and strengthen negotiations between recreational fishers, Government
and other interested organisations regarding threats to fishery access.
Outcomes
This report provides an update of NSW game fish tournament monitoring results
including data from events that were monitored over the 2016 game fishing year
(financial year ending 2016). Updated data for observed catch of key game fish
species and catch rates (catch per unit of effort; CPUE) provide an addendum to the
final report published in 2015, which included:
1) Description of the game fish tournament fishery for game fish species in NSW.
2) Summary of 20 years (1994–2013) of fishing effort and catch data.
3) Catch and catch rate estimates in support of resource assessments of billfish,
shark, tuna and other game fish species.
4) Results of investigations of the potential biases in fishing effort and catch data to
identify options to improve catch rate estimates.
5) Recommendations to improve the cost efficiency of the monitoring program.
6) Summary of the management outcomes for the recreational game fish fishery and
how these outcomes benefited from tournament monitoring data.
Overview of monitoring
The NSW Game Fish Tournament Monitoring Program has now been operating for
23 years. Over the past game fishing year of 2016 there were 26 NSW game fishing
events monitored from as far north as Coffs Harbour to as far south as Eden
(Appendix 1). Two of these 26 events were cancelled due to bad weather conditions
leaving 24 events where data were collected. This is the greatest number of events
successfully monitored in the history of the NSW Game Fish Tournament Monitoring
Program. Data were obtained from 57 fishing days totalling 2768 boat fishing trips.
Data collected included the fishing effort and catch for all fishing trips. These data
will be used at the upcoming Tropical Tuna Management Advisory Committee
(TTMAC) to provide a summary of the recreational game fish fishery and to support
negotiations between the Commonwealth Government and recreational and
commercial fishing representatives regarding the Total Allowable Catch levels of key
species caught by the commercial fishery. Data from this project are also available
upon request to support any further negotiations between recreational fishers,
Government and other interested organisations regarding fishery sustainability
issues, promotion of quality recreational fishing opportunities or threats to fishery
access.
This report provides a summary of the catch and catch rates for 15 key game fish
species. Methods used to calculate the catch and catch rates were as per Ghosn et
al. (2015). Results present some interesting trends in the catch and catch rates for
2016. For example, the mean weight of striped marlin in 2016 was the highest on
2
record over the 23 years of monitoring. Conversely, the mean weight of blue marlin
in 2016 was lowest on record over the 23 years of monitoring. This trend was
accompanied by both the catch and percentage released of blue marlin in 2016
being second highest for this species compared with all previous years of monitoring.
Compared with most previous years of monitoring, catch rates in 2016 of black
marlin, blue marlin, shortbill spearfish, wahoo and whaler sharks were higher
whereas catch rates of mahi mahi, striped tuna and yellowfin tuna were lower. The
catch rates for all other key species in 2016 were on par with most previous years of
monitoring.
The key result from 2016 that is of potential concern was the continuing low yellowfin
tuna catch and catch rates. Yellowfin tuna catch was the lowest on record with only
36 and 34 yellowfin tuna recorded over all of the 2015 and 2016 game fishing years
respectively compared with 283 in 2014 and an overall average across years of 401
yellowfin tuna (Table 11). The catch rates for 2015 and 2016 were also significantly
lower compared with most other previous years of the monitoring program. A very
low number of young recruits of yellowfin tuna were caught during monitored
tournaments in 2015 and 2016, which was the main driver of this declining trend.
Given the importance of yellowfin tuna to the NSW recreational fishery, an in-depth
investigation of the decreased trend in the catch and catch rate of this species is
warranted especially if this trend continues in the 2017 game fishing year. Adding to
this concern are the results of a recently published research project on the
population dynamics of yellowfin tuna that found three distinct sub-populations being
from the Coral Sea, Central Pacific Ocean and Eastern Pacific Ocean 1. The question
of which sub-population the NSW recreational fishery has access to (for example,
the Coral Sea sub-population only or a mix of the Coral Sea and Central Pacific
Ocean sub-populations) is of particular interest. If yellowfin tuna caught by
recreational fishers are predominately from the Coral Sea then this sub-population
may be overfished or there may be some other reason such as unfavourable
environmental conditions driving the declining trend in catch and catch rates of the
recreational fishery. Conversely to the recreational fishery, there was no declining
trend in the commercial catch for the Western and Central Pacific Ocean yellowfin
tuna fishery with their 2015 catch of yellowfin tuna one of the highest on record2.
Given that commercial fishing effort for yellowfin tuna is mostly expended further
offshore compared with the recreational fishery, commercial fishers may be
accessing a different sub-population to that of the recreational fishery. The spatial
differences in fishing effort between the recreational and commercial fishery provides
one possible explanation for the differing trends in their yellowfin tuna catch.
Catch and catch rates
Billfish
The catch of 342 black marlin in 2016 was slightly higher than the average catch
across all years of monitoring but lower than the catch in 2015 of 571 fish (Table 1).
However, the catch rate of black marlin in 2016 was on par with the catch rate in
2015 with the catch rates in both years being higher compared with most previous
years of monitoring (Figure 1A).
3
The percentage of black marlin released has been consistently higher than the
average across all years for the past four years (Table 1). In 2016, over 98% of black
marlin were released with only 6 fish recorded to be captured (Table 1). The mean
weight of black marlin in 2016 was close to 86 kilograms, which is lower than the
average across all years of almost 98 kilograms (Table 1).
The catch of striped marlin in 2016 was on par with an average catch of 350 for this
species across all years of monitoring (Table 2). Striped marlin catch rates remained
stable in 2016 compared with most previous years of monitoring (Figure 1B).
The percentage of striped marlin released has been consistently higher than the
average across all years for the past two years at over 97% (Table 2). In 2016, only
8 striped marlin were recorded to be captured (Table 2). The mean weight of striped
marlin captured and weighed in 2015 and 2016 were high compared with all except
the first year of monitoring at 105 and 115 kilograms, respectively (Table 2).
The catch of 151 blue marlin in 2016 was the second highest catch recorded for this
species over the 23 years of monitoring (Table 3). Catch rates of blue marlin were
slightly higher in 2016 but on par with most previous years of monitoring (Figure 1C).
The percentage of blue marlin released was higher than the average across all years
at over 81% and was the second highest percentage released for this species over
the monitoring period (Table 3). In 2016, 28 blue marlin were recorded to be
captured and the mean weight of these fish at almost 123 kilograms was lower than
the average mean weight across all years of monitoring at almost 153 kilograms
(Table 3).
The catch of shortbill spearfish in 2016 was the highest across all monitoring years
with 39 fish recorded (Table 4). The 2016 catch rate of shortbill spearfish was also
higher compared with all except one previous monitoring year (Figure 1D). The
percentage of shortbill spearfish released and the mean weight of captured fish in
2016 at 84% and 24 kilograms, respectively were on par with the averages across all
years of monitoring (Table 4).
Sharks
The catch of 126 mako shark in 2016 was close to the average across all years of
monitoring at 116 sharks per year (Table 5). The 2016 mako shark catch rate was
also similar to previous years of monitoring continuing the stable trend in catch rates
of this shark species (Figure 2A). The percentage of mako sharks released has
remained higher than average now for five consecutive years and in 2016 was the
second highest on record at over 80% compared with an average of 66% across all
years of monitoring (Table 5).
The catch of 47 blue sharks in 2016 was also close to the average across all years
of 42 sharks per year (Table 6). The catch rate of blue sharks in 2016 was lower
than 2015 but on par with most previous years and with high variability given large
confidence intervals (Figure 2B). The percentage of blue sharks released also
remained higher than average for the past five consecutive years. In 2016 almost
4
88% of blue sharks were released compared with an average of almost 71% across
all years of monitoring (Table 6).
The catch of tiger shark in 2016 at 28 sharks was lower than the overall average
catch of 41 sharks across all years of monitoring (Table 7). However, tiger shark
catch rates have remained relatively stable with no significant difference in 2016 to
most previous monitoring years (Figure 2C). The percentage of tiger sharks released
has remained higher than average now for three consecutive years at almost 67% in
2014, 57% in 2015 and 54% in 2016 compared with an average of 32% across all
years of monitoring (Table 7).
The catch of hammerhead sharks in 2016 of 34 sharks was close to the average
over all monitoring years of 27 sharks (Table 8). All except one hammerhead shark
were released over the last three years of monitoring (Table 8). The catch rate for
hammerhead sharks in 2016 decreased from that in 2015 but was on par with most
previous years of monitoring (Figure 3A).
The catch of 46 whaler sharks in 2016 was higher than the average across all
monitoring years of 31 sharks (Table 9). The 2016 whaler shark catch rate was
significantly higher compared with 2015 and some other previous years (Figure 3B).
The percentage released also remained high at almost 89% (Table 9).
Large tunas
Albacore catch was again notably lower in 2016 (6 fish) as per the lower catches in
2014 and (23 fish) and 2015 (7 fish) compared with the average across all years of
141 fish (Table 10). Albacore catch rates thus remained close to zero in 2014, 2015
and 2016 (Figure 4A). The percentage released in 2016 of just over 83% was on par
with the average across all years of monitoring (Table 10).
Yellowfin tuna catch in 2016 was notably lower than average at only 34 fish similarly
to 2015 of only 36 fish (Table 11). This trend in catch was reflected in the catch rates
of yellowfin tuna being close to zero in 2015 and 2016 (Figure 4B). The 50 kilogram
mean weight of yellowfin tuna in 2016 was higher than average whilst the
percentage released was lower than average in 2015 and 2016 indicating the lack of
newly recruited yellowfin tuna available to the recreational tournament fishery in
these two past game fishing years (Table 11). If this decreasing trend in yellowfin
tuna catch, catch rate and size composition continues over the 2017 game fishing
year, there may be some cause for concern for the fishery to further investigate.
Other game fish
The catch of 25 skipjack (striped) tuna in 2016 was notably lower similarly to 2015
(71 fish) compared with the average catch across all years of 204 fish (Table 12).
Catch rates for 2015 and 2016 have been significantly lower than previous years and
close to zero (Figure 5A). It should be noted however that these numbers may be
biased by the lack of interview data in 2015 and 2016 and any changes in the
proportion of junior anglers fishing. Point score is only attainable for the catch of this
species by junior anglers thus reporting the catch of this species on the radio scheds
was limited. The percentage released in 2016 as reported on the scheds was 100%
5
and has remained consistently higher than average for the past four years (Table
12).
The catch of 244 mahi mahi in 2016 was lower than the average catch across all
years of monitoring of 348 fish (Table 13). The lower than average catch was also
reflected in the mahi mahi catch rate being significantly lower in 2016 compared with
most previous years of monitoring (Figure 5B). The percentage released in 2016 at
almost 83% was on par with the average across all years of monitoring (Table 13).
Yellowtail kingfish catch in 2016 of 14 fish was also lower than the average of 72 fish
across all years (Tables 15). A catch rate close to zero in 2016 was also consistent
with the past three years (Figure 5C). The percentage released also remained high
in 2016 at almost 90%, which was on par with an average of 92% of yellowtail
kingfish released across all years of monitoring (Table 15).
Wahoo catch in 2016 of 12 fish was equal to the average across all years of
monitoring (Table 15). The wahoo catch rate in 2016 was higher than the majority of
previous years of monitoring albeit with large overlapping confidence intervals
(Figure 5D). The percentage released in 2016 at 50% was on par with the average
percentage released across all years of monitoring at 52% (Table 13).
Future work
The catch and catch rates provided in this report will continue to be improved over
time as part of this new externally-managed game fish tournament monitoring project
should it continue to be funded by the NSW Recreational Saltwater Fishing Trust.
There are still some data that we are seeking to obtain from some clubs including
both sched data and weigh station reports. Efforts during 2016 were successful in
obtaining missing sched data from a further 3 events from previous years of
monitoring. These data were included in data summarised in this report. In past
years of the monitoring program, it has often taken considerable time after the
completion of the season to obtain all data for that season so this is normal within
the constraints of this research. Furthermore, the majority of the outstanding data
checking and validation work from previous monitoring years was almost completed
during 2015 and 2016. This included updating some of the spatial grid reference
records that were difficult to interpret from the scheds. The NSW Game Fish Tag and
Release database was also used to further validate some missing species
information from the scheds. Future updates of the catch tables and catch rates will
incorporate any further data checking work plus any new data that are obtained.
6
Acknowledgements
The NSW Recreational Saltwater Fishing Trust, NSW Game Fishing Association and
The Australian Fishing Museum Ltd are thanked for their funding of the NSW Game
Fish Tournament Monitoring Program for 2016. Thank you also to game fishing
tournament organisers, radio sched operators and participants who provided access
to data as without their support this project would not be possible. The NSW
Department of Primary Industries are also thanked for in-kind support towards
database management and administration. Particular thanks to NSWDPI staff Jeffrey
Murphy, Jim Craig, Venessa Adillon, Bryan Van Der Walt and Craig Mercier. Thank
you to staff that assisted with data collation, checking and entry in 2016 including
Sandra Howarth, Christopher Baiada, Justin Croft, Glen Cuthbert and Kehani
Manson.
7
Table 1. Summary of the total number of black marlin recorded by game fish tournament anglers from scheds versus a combination from scheds and interviews for each
financial year over the monitoring period from 1994 to 2016. Values presented are the percentage released (tagged and released plus free released individuals),
number of fish released and captured, mean fish weight in kilograms and the total captures by weight in kilograms. The annual mean released percentage and
mean weight were estimated as the average value across financial years.
Black marlin
Financial year
Sched data
No.
caught
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
112
32
156
890
168
636
275
108
81
49
117
640
298
166
137
50
217
127
95
144
233
571
342
Total
5644
Annual mean
245
Released
(%)
83.9
81.3
82.1
98.1
94.6
97.0
90.2
93.5
78.8
87.8
87.1
98.0
93.9
97.6
92.8
86.3
91.2
93.0
90.6
98.7
98.3
99.7
98.4
91.8
No.
released
Combination of sched and interview data
No.
captured
94
26
128
873
159
617
248
101
64
43
102
627
280
162
127
43
198
118
86
142
229
569
336
18
6
28
17
9
19
27
7
17
6
15
13
18
4
10
7
19
9
9
2
4
2
6
5372
272
234
12
Mean
weight
(kg)
135.7
102.0
105.5
93.0
85.0
103.7
139.3
104.0
96.0
106.5
86.5
116.2
104.6
124.0
102.4
105.5
101.2
75.5
115.7
93.0
85.7
103.9
Total
captures
(kg)
No.
caught
2443
612
2954
837
1615
2799
975
1790
576
1611
1579
473
1038
851
1946
942
901
141
459
183
478
112
32
156
890
168
670
275
108
85
46
101
685
320
178
167
55
216
122
93
146
230
571
342
25203
5768
1200
251
Released
(%)
83.9
81.3
82.1
98.1
94.6
96.9
90.2
93.5
79.8
89.4
87.9
98.5
89.3
96.0
93.5
91.1
93.1
95.0
92.6
98.1
98.0
99.5
98.4
92.2
No.
released
No.
captured
94
26
128
873
159
649
248
101
68
41
89
675
286
171
156
50
201
116
86
143
225
568
336
18
6
28
17
9
21
27
7
17
5
12
10
34
7
11
5
15
6
7
3
5
3
6
5489
279
239
12
Mean
weight
(kg)
135.7
102.0
105.5
93.0
85.0
103.7
139.3
115.0
89.0
112.7
63.0
70.3
116.1
104.6
97.0
100.4
99.2
95.6
76.4
81.4
84.0
85.7
Total
captures
(kg)
2443
612
2954
837
1785
2799
975
1978
436
1380
660
2415
836
1144
476
1506
600
662
214
379
252
478
25821
97.9
1174
- no data recorded
8
Table 2. Summary of the total number of striped marlin recorded by game fish tournament anglers from scheds versus a combination from scheds and interviews for each
financial year over the monitoring period from 1994 to 2016. Values presented are the percentage released (tagged and released plus free released individuals),
number of fish released and captured, mean fish weight in kilograms and the total captures by weight in kilograms. The annual mean released percentage and
mean weight were estimated as the average value across financial years.
Striped marlin
Financial year
Sched data
No.
caught
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
190
156
379
175
107
381
611
325
315
292
395
398
360
277
455
350
655
491
651
106
140
418
302
Total
7929
Annual mean
345
Released
(%)
78.8
87.2
80.5
93.7
91.6
90.8
93.0
89.9
84.1
94.9
90.5
94.6
93.7
90.9
94.0
89.7
89.9
93.3
95.6
88.8
95.0
97.4
97.3
91.1
No.
released
Combination of sched and interview data
No.
captured
150
136
305
164
98
346
568
292
265
277
358
377
337
252
427
314
589
458
622
94
133
407
294
40
20
74
11
9
35
43
33
50
15
37
21
23
25
28
36
66
33
29
12
7
11
8
7263
666
316
29
Mean
weight
(kg)
105.1
98.8
90.8
89.3
94.0
83.3
90.3
92.2
98.7
80.9
109.2
71.4
83.2
80.1
88.1
87.2
94.5
83.7
82.0
91.5
114.0
114.8
92.0
Total
captures
(kg)
No.
caught
4227
1975
6718
804
3299
3583
2961
4605
1475
3023
2347
1621
2102
2204
3169
5773
3113
2420
975
645
1225
924
190
156
379
175
107
382
611
325
322
292
433
399
391
293
493
359
643
485
647
102
146
418
302
59188
8050
2690
350
Released
(%)
78.8
87.2
80.5
93.7
91.6
91.3
93.0
89.9
82.8
94.8
88.7
95.4
94.0
88.7
93.4
88.8
89.2
93.5
96.0
87.4
95.2
97.7
97.3
90.8
No.
released
No.
captured
150
136
305
164
98
349
568
292
267
277
384
380
367
260
461
319
574
454
621
89
139
408
294
40
20
74
11
9
33
43
33
55
15
49
19
24
33
32
40
69
31
26
13
7
10
8
7356
694
320
30
Mean
weight
(kg)
105.1
98.8
90.8
89.3
89.3
83.3
90.3
91.7
81.5
91.0
92.6
84.7
79.9
89.4
85.1
85.2
94.3
84.0
94.2
81.1
104.9
114.8
Total
captures
(kg)
4227
1975
6718
804
2979
3583
2980
5076
1235
4469
1714
1999
2655
2898
3432
5900
2960
2176
1212
568
1021
927
61508
91.0
2796
- no data recorded
9
Table 3. Summary of the total number of blue marlin recorded by game fish tournament anglers from scheds versus a combination from scheds and interviews for each
financial year over the monitoring period from 1994 to 2016. Values presented are the percentage released (tagged and released plus free released individuals),
number of fish released and captured, mean fish weight in kilograms and the total captures by weight in kilograms. The annual mean released percentage and
mean weight were estimated as average value across financial years.
Blue marlin
Sched data
Financial year
No.
caught
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
66
21
44
24
131
218
99
47
137
48
25
33
88
62
72
80
84
82
97
57
117
68
151
Total
1851
Annual mean
80
Released
(%)
73.9
71.4
65.9
75.0
86.3
72.9
77.8
66.0
65.2
63.8
72.0
75.8
73.6
62.3
59.7
65.1
72.5
65.5
72.7
62.7
63.8
78.4
81.3
70.6
No.
released
Combination of sched and interview data
No.
captured
49
15
29
18
113
159
77
31
89
31
18
25
65
39
43
52
61
54
71
36
75
53
123
17
6
15
6
18
59
22
16
48
17
7
8
23
23
29
28
23
28
26
21
42
15
28
1326
525
58
23
Mean
weight
(kg)
161.9
133.8
123.5
162.0
162.2
200.9
162.4
158.7
127.7
129.9
162.7
177.7
149.6
154.0
168.0
161.5
159.2
139.3
182.8
122.8
155.0
Total
captures
(kg)
No.
caught
2795
2007
2223
9555
3569
3214
7755
2755
894
3021
3802
5152
4182
3553
4757
4273
3383
5901
2681
3477
66
21
44
24
131
230
99
47
135
50
44
37
92
70
78
78
76
90
95
56
124
66
151
78949
1904
3947
83
Released
(%)
73.9
71.4
65.9
75.0
86.3
72.5
77.8
66.0
65.7
63.8
67.4
74.3
72.2
60.3
62.2
63.4
74.1
70.0
75.5
63.8
61.4
78.1
81.3
70.5
No.
released
No.
captured
49
15
29
18
113
167
77
31
89
32
30
27
66
42
49
49
56
63
72
36
76
52
123
17
6
15
6
18
63
22
16
46
18
14
10
26
28
29
29
20
27
23
20
48
14
28
1361
543
59
24
Mean
weight
(kg)
161.9
133.8
123.5
149.7
162.2
200.9
162.2
156.5
163.2
128.0
134.2
157.8
159.7
150.3
152.9
153.3
150.0
162.2
133.3
190.8
122.8
Total
captures
(kg)
2795
2007
2223
9473
3569
3214
7523
2830
2337
1218
3429
4386
4709
4289
3012
4138
3490
3289
6387
2754
3477
80549
152.8
3836
- no data recorded
10
Table 4. Summary of the total number of shortbill spearfish recorded by game fish tournament anglers from scheds versus a combination from scheds and interviews for each
financial year over the monitoring period from 1994 to 2016. Values presented are the percentage released (tagged and released plus free released individuals),
number of fish released and captured, mean fish weight in kilograms and the total captures by weight in kilograms. The annual mean released percentage and
mean weight were estimated as the average value across financial years.
Spearfish
Sched data
Financial year
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
No.
caught
Released
(%)
9
19
4
012
12
5
2
32
12
3
8
13
1
13
29
5
16
3
10
16
10
39
Total
273
Annual mean
12
No.
released
55.6
79.0
75.0
87.8
No.
captured
5
15
3
-
100.0
83.3
100.0
100.0
84.4
75.0
100.0
100.0
69.2
100.0
84.6
89.7
83.3
88.2
100.0
91.7
100.0
88.9
84.2
Combination of sched and interview data
Mean
weight
(kg)
4
4
1
-
12
10
5
2
27
9
3
8
9
1
11
26
4
14
3
9
16
9
33
0
2
0
0
5
3
0
0
4
0
2
3
1
2
0
1
0
1
6
234
39
11
2
22.0
27.5
23.5
18.0
17.0
33.1
25.4
26.2
23.1
23.8
24.0
Total
captures
(kg)
No.
caught
88
138
70
72
51
28
48
22
26
147
9
19
4
0
12
12
5
2
32
12
3
8
12
1
14
28
5
16
3
10
16
10
39
690
272
69
12
Released
(%)
55.6
79.0
75.0
100.0
83.3
100.0
100.0
84.4
75.0
100.0
100.0
33.3
100.0
85.7
89.3
83.3
87.5
100.0
91.7
100.0
83.3
84.2
85.9
No.
released
Mean
weight
(kg)
No.
captured
5
15
3
12
10
5
2
27
9
3
8
4
1
12
25
4
14
3
9
16
8
33
4
4
1
0
2
0
0
5
3
0
0
8
0
2
3
1
2
0
1
0
2
6
228
44
10
2
22.0
27.5
24.0
8.0
28.0
16.0
33.1
25.2
26.0
19.1
18.4
Total
captures
(kg)
88
138
72
64
56
48
28
50
22
32
113
711
22.5
65
- no data recorded
11
Table 5. Summary of the total number of mako shark recorded by game fish tournament anglers from scheds versus a combination from scheds and interviews for each
financial year over the monitoring period from 1994 to 2016. Values presented are the percentage released (tagged and released plus free released individuals),
number of fish released and captured, mean fish weight in kilograms and the total captures by weight in kilograms. The annual mean released percentage and
mean weight were estimated as the average value across financial years.
Mako shark
Sched data
Financial year
No.
caught
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
54
56
99
11
30
320
153
117
123
64
58
118
31
60
82
99
184
105
182
222
79
127
126
Total
2500
Annual mean
109
Released
(%)
63.0
62.5
69.7
72.7
76.7
86.3
75.2
56.8
71.4
64.1
61.4
70.9
45.2
61.0
61.7
54.6
65.4
65.7
67.4
84.2
82.4
77.6
80.5
No.
released
34
35
69
8
23
276
115
66
88
41
36
84
14
37
51
54
120
69
123
187
65
99
101
Combination of sched and interview data
No.
captured
20
21
30
3
7
44
38
51
35
23
22
34
17
23
31
45
64
36
59
35
14
28
25
1795
68.5
78
31
Mean
weight
(kg)
Total
captures
(kg)
No.
caught
139.5
172.6
103.7
109.5
143.0
149.1
154.1
150.0
181.4
130.5
193.7
126.9
144.1
122.2
149.2
164.4
140.2
150.2
188.0
135.4
167.5
2790
3624
3112
4817
5435
7541
5416
3451
4060
4475
3292
2969
4522
5490
9489
5918
8318
5283
2609
3853
4125
54
56
99
11
30
323
153
117
123
74
63
120
46
67
100
105
193
105
187
302
83
126
126
3115.2
100589
2663
148.3
4790
116
Released
(%)
63.0
62.5
69.7
72.7
76.7
85.5
75.2
56.4
71.4
64.9
56.7
69.6
24.1
51.6
62.0
52.3
65.5
65.7
67.4
82.1
79.0
70.4
80.5
66.3
No.
released
No.
captured
34
35
69
8
23
276
115
66
88
48
36
83
11
35
62
55
126
69
126
248
66
89
101
20
21
30
3
7
47
38
51
35
26
27
37
35
32
38
50
67
36
61
54
17
37
25
1869
794
81
35
Mean
weight
(kg)
139.5
172.6
103.7
143.3
143.0
149.1
154.1
133.7
162.9
152.3
170.4
125.7
133.4
155.0
139.7
164.4
131.6
122.9
175.1
117.2
167.5
Total
captures
(kg)
2790
3624
3112
6737
5435
7605
5416
3477
4448
5561
5947
4081
5069
7757
9313
5919
8028
6657
3050
4369
4125
112520
145.6
5358
- no data recorded
12
Table 6. Summary of the total number of blue shark recorded by game fish tournament anglers from scheds versus a combination from scheds and interviews for each financial
year over the monitoring period from 1994 to 2016. Values presented are the percentage released (tagged and released plus free released individuals), number
of fish released and captured, mean fish weight in kilograms and the total captures by weight in kilograms. The annual mean released percentage and mean
weight were estimated as the average value across financial years.
Blue shark
Sched data
Financial year
No.
caught
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
19
32
156
12
22
91
30
37
32
13
4
13
11
9
46
56
62
22
40
56
45
77
47
Total
932
Annual mean
41
Released
(%)
42.1
62.5
59.6
91.7
95.5
82.4
86.7
71.1
75.0
46.2
50.0
76.9
63.6
62.5
61.7
59.7
64.6
68.2
80.5
79.0
95.2
81.7
87.8
71.5
No.
released
Combination of sched and interview data
No.
captured
8
20
93
11
21
75
26
26
24
6
2
10
7
6
28
33
40
15
32
44
43
63
41
11
12
63
1
1
16
4
11
8
7
2
3
4
3
18
23
22
7
8
12
2
14
6
674
258
29
11
Mean
weight
(kg)
113.1
95.0
105.3
100.9
74.0
120.8
110.8
140.7
93.0
78.8
88.5
103.0
114.1
120.4
116.0
113.3
81.4
97.7
137.2
130.4
95.6
106.2
Total
captures
(kg)
No.
caught
1244
1140
6637
1614
296
1293
886
985
186
236
354
348
2010
2721
2545
793
636
1152
294
1838
550
19
32
156
12
22
96
30
37
33
14
5
15
13
5
48
64
63
22
41
70
44
78
47
27758
966
1322
42
Released
(%)
42.1
62.5
59.6
91.7
95.5
77.3
86.7
70.3
72.7
50.0
60.0
73.3
53.9
60.0
60.4
62.5
64.2
68.2
82.9
74.3
95.2
76.4
87.8
70.8
No.
released
No.
captured
8
20
93
11
21
74
26
26
24
7
3
11
7
3
29
40
40
15
34
52
42
60
41
11
12
63
1
1
22
4
11
9
7
2
4
6
2
19
24
23
7
7
18
2
18
6
687
279
30
12
Mean
weight
(kg)
113.1
95.0
105.3
89.2
74.0
120.8
110.8
139.3
93.0
111.4
120.8
129.4
107.0
91.7
115.5
113.3
82.1
115.9
137.2
109.8
95.6
Total
captures
(kg)
1244
1140
6637
1943
296
1328
997
975
186
446
724
259
2034
2200
2607
793
575
2086
287
2020
550
29327
108.1
1397
- no data recorded
13
Table 7. Summary of the total number of tiger shark recorded by game fish tournament anglers from scheds versus a combination from scheds and interviews for each financial
year over the monitoring period from 1994 to 2016. Values presented are the percentage released (tagged and released plus free released individuals), number
of fish released and captured, mean fish weight in kilograms and the total captures by weight in kilograms. The annual mean released percentage and mean
weight were estimated as the average value across financial years.
Tiger shark
Sched data
Financial year
No.
caught
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
67
55
68
54
31
78
56
34
49
29
33
35
48
21
36
16
45
36
50
14
27
27
28
Total
937
Annual mean
41
Released
(%)
19.4
14.6
19.1
20.4
16.1
32.1
45.6
37.1
39.6
72.4
15.2
20.0
39.6
33.3
17.1
18.8
35.6
41.7
32.0
30.8
47.6
50.0
53.9
32.7
No.
released
Combination of sched and interview data
No.
captured
13
8
13
11
5
25
26
13
19
21
5
7
19
7
6
3
16
15
16
4
13
14
15
54
47
55
43
26
53
30
21
30
8
28
28
29
14
30
13
29
21
34
10
14
14
13
294
644
13
28
Mean
weight
(kg)
187.9
273.3
215.9
189.0
183.0
319.5
226.9
231.8
208.1
341.0
230.3
285.2
240.2
238.5
243.2
152.3
203.9
233.0
279.4
215.3
201.0
390.5
299.8
243.0
Total
captures
(kg)
No.
caught
10146
12846
11874
8127
4758
16934
6910
4954
6161
2728
6448
7986
6966
3339
7253
1979
5913
4892
9501
2087
2842
5271
3875
67
55
68
54
31
78
56
34
49
29
43
32
47
23
36
17
44
36
49
13
29
27
28
153790
945
6687
41
Released
(%)
19.4
14.6
19.1
20.4
16.1
30.8
44.6
35.3
39.6
73.3
19.1
21.9
36.5
33.3
16.7
11.8
34.1
41.7
31.4
30.8
58.3
51.6
53.9
32.8
No.
released
No.
captured
13
8
13
11
5
24
25
12
19
21
8
7
17
8
6
2
15
15
15
4
17
14
15
54
47
55
43
26
54
31
22
30
8
35
25
30
15
30
15
29
21
34
9
12
13
13
294
651
13
28
Mean
weight
(kg)
187.9
310.0
215.9
189.0
183.0
235.5
226.9
231.8
208.6
341.0
287.2
290.3
247.5
186.6
256.6
199.5
204.1
232.9
278.6
242.0
196.8
390.4
299.8
Total
captures
(kg)
10146
14569
11874
8127
4758
12717
7033
5100
6175
2637
9996
7257
7382
2862
7699
2992
5918
4892
9368
2178
2377
5101
3875
155033
245.3
6741
- no data recorded
14
Table 8. Summary of the total number of hammerhead sharks recorded by game fish tournament anglers from scheds versus a combination from scheds and interviews for each
financial year over the monitoring period from 1994 to 2016. Values presented are the percentage released (tagged and released plus free released individuals),
number of fish released and captured, mean fish weight in kilograms and the total captures by weight in kilograms. The annual mean released percentage and
mean weight were estimated as the average value across financial years.
Hammerhead sharks
Financial year
Sched data
No.
caught
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
59
18
29
39
23
35
64
60
42
37
21
17
16
9
4
10
11
13
19
10
18
38
34
Total
626
Annual mean
27
Released
(%)
83.1
77.8
89.7
89.7
100.0
91.4
90.6
88.3
71.4
86.5
95.2
93.3
87.5
100.0
100.0
90.0
90.9
84.6
95.2
90.0
100.0
97.4
100.0
91.0
No.
released
Combination of sched and interview data
Mean
weight
(kg)
No.
captured
49
14
26
35
23
32
58
53
30
32
20
16
14
9
4
9
10
11
18
9
18
37
34
10
4
3
4
0
3
6
7
12
5
1
1
2
0
0
1
1
2
1
1
0
1
0
561
65
24
3
93.0
126.0
109.0
90.8
117.2
109.3
77.0
84.0
81.1
129.2
120.6
103.4
Total
captures
(kg)
No.
caught
930
378
327
544
821
1312
77
168
73
129
118
-
59
18
29
39
23
36
64
60
42
37
20
18
17
9
4
10
12
14
19
10
21
37
34
4877
632
443
27
Released
(%)
83.1
77.8
89.7
89.7
100.0
86.1
90.6
88.3
70.7
86.5
100.0
87.5
88.2
100.0
100.0
90.0
91.7
85.7
95.2
90.0
100.0
97.6
100.0
90.8
No.
released
Mean
weight
(kg)
No.
captured
49
14
26
35
23
31
58
53
30
32
20
16
15
9
4
9
11
12
18
9
21
36
34
10
4
3
4
0
5
6
7
12
5
0
2
2
0
0
1
1
2
1
1
0
1
0
565
67
25
3
93.0
126.0
109.0
90.8
117.2
109.3
80.0
190.0
77.0
84.0
81.0
129.2
120.6
-
Total
captures
(kg)
930
378
545
544
821
1344
400
190
77
168
73
129
109
5708
108.2
439
- no data recorded
15
Table 9. Summary of the total number of whaler sharks recorded by game fish tournament anglers from scheds versus a combination from scheds and interviews for each
financial year over the monitoring period from 1994 to 2016. Values presented are the percentage released (tagged and released plus free released individuals),
number of fish released and captured, mean fish weight in kilograms and the total captures by weight in kilograms. The annual mean released percentage and
mean weight were estimated as the average value across financial years.
Whaler sharks
Financial year
Sched data
No.
caught
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
48
15
42
46
76
31
56
22
14
41
19
30
10
25
10
13
60
37
16
24
16
13
46
Total
710
Annual mean
31
Released
(%)
56.3
40.0
78.6
80.4
89.5
67.7
73.2
68.2
71.4
82.9
76.5
86.7
90.0
80.0
70.0
76.9
96.7
77.1
88.2
95.8
91.7
100.0
88.9
79.4
No.
released
Combination of sched and interview data
Mean
weight
(kg)
No.
captured
27
6
33
37
68
21
41
15
10
34
15
26
9
20
7
10
58
29
14
23
15
13
41
21
9
9
9
8
10
15
7
4
7
4
4
1
5
3
3
2
8
2
1
1
0
5
572
138
25
6
116.9
134.0
191.5
105.0
173.4
224.7
162.0
99.0
209.0
147.8
115.2
134.0
156.6
103.4
136.1
173.0
82.6
145.0
Total
captures
(kg)
No.
caught
2454
1206
1724
1050
2600
1573
648
693
934
739
346
402
313
874
256
173
422
48
15
42
46
76
32
56
22
14
42
18
27
12
26
11
16
61
37
19
28
14
13
46
16407
721
965
31
Released
(%)
56.3
40.0
78.6
80.4
89.5
65.6
73.2
68.2
71.4
81.0
68.8
86.4
91.7
80.8
63.6
75.0
95.1
77.1
85.7
92.9
92.3
100.0
88.9
78.4
No.
released
Mean
weight
(kg)
No.
captured
27
6
33
37
68
21
41
15
10
34
12
23
11
21
7
12
58
29
16
26
13
13
41
21
9
9
9
8
11
15
7
4
8
6
4
1
5
4
4
3
8
3
2
1
0
5
574
147
25
6
116.9
134.0
191.5
105.0
173.4
224.7
162.0
89.2
169.7
58.0
76.5
116.3
140.7
113.5
99.0
108.9
149.0
68.0
82.6
Total
captures
(kg)
2454
1206
1724
1155
2600
1573
648
714
954
58
382
465
563
341
837
296
298
73
422
16763
125.2
882
- no data recorded
16
Table 10. Summary of the total number of albacore recorded by game fish tournament anglers from scheds versus a combination from scheds and interviews for each financial
year over the monitoring period from 1994 to 2016. Values presented are the percentage released (tagged and released plus free released individuals), number
of fish released and captured, mean fish weight in kilograms and the total captures by weight in kilograms. The annual mean released percentage and mean
weight were estimated as the average value across financial years.
Albacore
Sched data
Financial year
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
No.
caught
Released
(%)
788
100
491
2
152
96
4
239
7
012
30
16
150
60
325
41
35
158
278
20
7
6
Total
3017
Annual mean
131
No.
released
82.5
91.0
89.0
100.0
90.8
84.4
100.0
87.5
85.7
90.2
No.
captured
650
91
437
2
138
81
4
209
6
-
100.0
96.7
91.7
96.0
99.0
93.8
79.1
95.6
90.6
72.6
75.0
100.0
83.3
Combination of sched and interview data
138
9
54
0
14
15
0
30
1
-
12
29
15
144
59
305
32
33
143
202
15
7
5
0
1
1
6
1
20
9
2
15
76
5
0
1
2619
398
119
18
Mean
weight
(kg)
10.4
8.5
12.0
9.8
8.3
8.0
8.2
6.0
14.2
20.8
9.5
11.2
10.6
Total
captures
(kg)
No.
caught
1432
76
648
146
250
8
8
36
9
416
722
56
-
788
100
491
2
152
99
4
239
7
4
13
38
24
197
84
424
40
35
182
289
23
7
6
3807
3248
317
141
Released
(%)
82.5
91.0
89.0
100.0
90.8
82.8
100.0
87.5
85.7
50.0
92.3
81.1
62.5
82.8
80.5
75.3
75.0
94.1
74.7
68.6
78.3
100.0
83.3
82.9
No.
released
No.
captured
650
91
437
2
138
82
4
209
6
2
12
31
15
163
68
319
30
33
136
198
18
7
5
138
9
54
0
14
17
0
30
1
2
1
7
9
34
16
105
10
2
46
91
5
0
1
2656
592
115
26
Mean
weight
(kg)
10.4
8.5
12.0
8.3
8.0
7.4
7.8
8.9
8.6
8.7
7.4
8.9
11.2
-
Total
captures
(kg)
1432
76
648
250
8
53
70
146
897
87
338
810
56
4871
8.9
375
- no data recorded
17
Table 11. Summary of the total number of yellowfin tuna recorded by game fish tournament anglers from scheds versus a combination from scheds and interviews for each
financial year over the monitoring period from 1994 to 2016. Values presented are the percentage released (tagged and released plus free released individuals),
number of fish released and captured, mean fish weight in kilograms and the total captures by weight in kilograms. The annual mean released percentage and
mean weight were estimated as the average value across financial years.
Yellowfin tuna
Financial year
Sched data
No.
caught
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
257
479
1192
124
67
517
198
188
788
375
113
759
344
1281
566
144
282
193
161
183
308
38
34
Total
8591
Annual mean
374
Released
(%)
72.2
91.9
84.9
91.1
88.1
89.0
78.3
68.1
86.5
79.9
53.6
91.8
80.3
89.7
91.5
61.2
72.8
66.3
75.3
85.6
91.0
57.1
28.6
77.2
No.
released
Combination of sched and interview data
No.
captured
185
440
1012
113
59
460
155
128
682
300
61
697
276
1149
518
88
205
128
121
157
280
22
10
72
39
180
11
8
57
43
60
106
75
52
62
68
132
48
56
77
65
40
26
28
16
24
7246
1345
315
58
Mean
weight
(kg)
31.7
27.1
36.6
29.8
36.1
43.1
39.9
27.3
28.7
32.8
39.6
48.2
29.8
28.6
36.2
45.2
34.2
46.3
46.0
38.2
48.0
50.0
37.4
Total
captures
(kg)
No.
caught
2267
1056
6583
238
2059
1854
2395
2908
2165
1721
2461
3265
3921
1382
2022
3466
2219
1840
1214
1061
782
1214
257
479
1192
124
67
555
198
188
799
424
157
772
490
1422
683
171
294
194
161
206
323
36
34
48093
9226
2186
401
Released
(%)
72.2
91.9
84.9
91.1
88.1
86.0
78.3
68.1
79.3
74.9
46.4
88.5
75.9
93.0
79.1
54.9
68.2
65.0
76.1
82.1
86.2
46.7
28.6
74.1
No.
released
No.
captured
185
440
1012
113
59
477
155
128
633
318
73
684
372
1322
541
94
200
126
122
169
279
17
10
72
39
180
11
8
78
43
60
166
106
84
88
118
100
142
77
94
68
39
37
44
19
24
7529
1697
327
74
Mean
weight
(kg)
31.7
28.9
36.6
29.8
40.8
43.1
39.9
36.5
26.0
37.7
33.4
33.7
28.9
26.5
26.9
42.1
34.1
42.9
40.9
37.8
46.6
50.0
Total
captures
(kg)
2267
1129
6583
238
3167
1854
2395
6037
2768
3168
2957
3977
2886
3777
2076
3941
2319
1655
1506
1681
895
1214
58490
36.1
2659
- no data recorded
18
Table 12. Summary of the total number of skipjack (striped) tuna recorded by game fish tournament anglers from scheds versus a combination from scheds and interviews for
each financial year over the monitoring period from 1994 to 2016. Values presented are the percentage released (tagged and released plus free released
individuals), number of fish released and captured, the mean fish weight in kilograms of captured individuals and the total captures by weight in kilograms.
The annual mean released percentage and mean weight were estimated as the average value across financial years.
Skipjack tuna
Financial year
Sched data
No.
caught
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2
0
3
0
5
17
0
0
9
44
31
62
53
54
48
203
173
157
176
204
270
55
25
Total
1591
Annual mean
69
Released
(%)
100.0
33.3
0.0
5.9
66.7
95.5
90.3
95.1
98.1
100.0
98.0
99.5
98.6
98.2
97.8
95.1
100.0
100.0
100.0
82.7
No.
released
Combination of sched and interview data
Mean
weight
(kg)
No.
captured
2
1
0
1
6
42
28
59
52
54
47
202
170
154
172
194
270
55
25
0
2
5
16
3
2
3
3
1
0
1
1
3
3
4
10
0
0
0
1534
57
81
3
3.8
1.2
3.7
3.3
3.0
Total
captures
(kg)
No.
caught
4
1
9
33
-
2
0
3
0
5
681
0
0
107
341
124
127
212
206
385
617
336
215
500
400
326
71
25
47
4683
12
204
Released
(%)
100.0
33.3
0.0
3.7
13.6
35.9
31.2
74.3
51.4
43.4
35.1
48.9
75.8
83.5
48.5
71.1
90.2
79.1
100.0
53.6
No.
released
No.
captured
2
1
0
25
15
122
39
94
109
89
135
302
255
180
243
284
294
56
25
0
2
5
656
92
219
85
33
103
117
250
315
81
35
257
116
32
15
0
2270
2413
119
127
Mean
weight
(kg)
10.0
2.0
3.0
2.7
3.2
3.7
5.1
3.4
3.7
1.7
-
Total
captures
(kg)
2186
65
350
673
1010
297
182
886
430
25
6104
3.9
610
- no data recorded
19
Table 13. Summary of the total number of mahi mahi recorded by game fish tournament anglers from scheds versus a combination from scheds and interviews for each
financial year over the monitoring period from 1994 to 2016. Values presented are the percentage released (tagged and released plus free released individuals),
number of fish released and captured, the mean fish weight in kilograms and the total captures by weight in kilograms. The annual mean released percentage
and mean weight were estimated as the average value across financial years.
Mahi mahi
Sched data
Financial year
No.
caught
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
105
94
47
66
89
266
76
1149
509
135
169
307
551
60
299
438
453
214
229
227
709
576
244
Total
7012
Annual mean
305
Released
(%)
68.6
98.9
87.2
100.0
93.3
92.1
89.5
99.0
81.2
92.6
89.2
89.3
94.1
88.3
91.6
94.0
88.1
70.7
95.4
95.2
96.7
93.0
82.8
90.0
No.
released
Combination of sched and interview data
No.
captured
72
93
41
66
83
245
68
1138
413
125
151
274
519
53
274
411
399
151
218
216
686
536
202
33
1
6
0
6
21
8
11
96
10
18
33
32
7
25
27
54
63
11
11
23
40
42
6434
578
280
25
Mean
weight
(kg)
20.0
14.0
9.2
13.2
9.5
13.0
17.5
17.6
16.3
22.0
14.4
17.6
17.1
16.7
11.3
11.9
16.0
15.2
15.9
15.2
Total
captures
(kg)
No.
caught
660
294
73
145
910
130
319
578
527
154
360
466
925
1049
120
131
376
612
668
105
94
47
66
89
403
76
1149
550
173
232
375
729
135
416
495
597
229
238
257
733
578
244
8497
8010
447
348
Released
(%)
68.6
98.9
87.2
100.0
93.3
63.2
89.5
99.0
75.2
70.9
78.8
78.2
75.9
55.0
81.7
85.2
73.9
68.1
90.8
88.6
91.8
90.4
82.8
82.0
No.
released
No.
captured
72
93
41
66
83
255
68
1138
414
123
183
293
553
74
340
422
441
156
216
228
673
523
202
33
1
6
0
6
148
8
11
136
50
49
82
176
61
76
73
156
73
22
29
60
55
42
6657
1353
289
59
Mean
weight
(kg)
20.0
9.2
13.2
10.0
12.8
16.3
13.7
14.0
16.8
7.6
8.3
13.7
16.1
9.2
11.4
16.5
14.7
15.9
Total
captures
(kg)
660
73
145
1364
645
804
1123
2465
1023
580
611
2136
1174
200
332
993
815
668
15811
13.3
878
- no data recorded
20
Table 14. Summary of the total number of yellowtail kingfish recorded by game fish tournament anglers from scheds versus a combination from scheds and interviews for
each financial year over the monitoring period from 1994 to 2016. Values presented are the percentage released (tagged and released plus free released
individuals), number of fish released and captured, the mean fish weight in kilograms and the total captures by weight in kilograms. The annual mean released
percentage and mean weight were estimated as the average value across financial years.
Yellowtail kingfish
Financial year
Sched data
No.
caught
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
16
10
7
4
2
56
52
259
85
76
104
109
72
132
34
253
34
73
29
15
12
12
14
Total
1460
Annual mean
63
Released
(%)
100.0
90.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
98.1
97.7
95.1
100.0
96.2
100.0
100.0
97.7
100.0
95.6
97.6
99.2
100.0
93.3
91.7
92.3
89.5
97.1
No.
released
Combination of sched and interview data
Mean
weight
(kg)
No.
captured
16
9
7
4
2
56
51
253
81
76
100
109
72
129
34
242
33
72
29
14
11
11
13
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
6
4
0
4
0
0
3
0
11
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1424
36
62
2
8.0
10.6
9.3
Total
captures
(kg)
No.
caught
32
10
-
16
10
7
4
2
69
52
259
88
133
101
97
68
117
75
311
56
73
56
22
12
11
14
42
1653
21
72
Released
(%)
100.0
90.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
89.9
98.1
97.7
94.1
78.6
96.0
97.9
85.9
95.8
91.0
95.3
61.0
98.6
80.8
90.9
91.7
92.3
89.5
92.0
No.
released
Mean
weight
(kg)
No.
captured
16
9
7
4
2
62
51
253
83
105
97
95
58
112
68
296
34
72
45
20
11
10
13
0
1
0
0
0
7
1
6
5
28
4
2
10
5
7
15
22
1
11
2
1
1
1
1523
130
66
6
8.0
5.0
2.0
2.8
7.2
4.4
7.2
10.6
-
Total
captures
(kg)
32
10
10
42
157
48
14
9
322
5.9
40
- no data recorded
21
Table 15. Summary of the total number of wahoo recorded by game fish tournament anglers from scheds versus a combination from scheds and interviews for each financial
year over the monitoring period from 1994 to 2016. Values presented are the percentage released (tagged and released plus free released individuals), number
of fish released and captured, the mean fish weight in kilograms and the total captures by weight in kilograms. The annual mean released percentage and mean
weight were estimated as the average value across financial years.
Wahoo
Sched data
Financial year
No.
caught
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
1
0
1
9
2
43
10
3
17
7
0
31
15
32
8
5
2
20
6
8
5
2
12
Total
239
Annual mean
10
Released
(%)
0.0
0.0
88.9
100.0
90.7
60.0
33.3
70.6
100.0
83.9
92.9
81.3
66.7
80.0
50.0
52.4
37.5
62.5
20.0
50.0
50.0
60.5
No.
released
Combination of sched and interview data
Mean
weight
(kg)
No.
captured
0
0
8
2
39
6
1
12
7
26
14
26
5
4
1
10
2
5
1
1
6
1
1
1
0
4
4
2
5
0
5
1
6
3
1
1
10
4
3
4
1
6
176
63
8
3
20.5
16.0
17.4
16.5
18.6
6.0
15.6
15.8
Total
captures
(kg)
No.
caught
82
96
46
157
70
18
63
-
1
0
1
9
2
54
10
3
18
13
0
38
15
37
8
6
3
20
6
10
6
2
12
532
274
76
12
Released
(%)
0.0
0.0
88.9
100.0
71.2
60.0
33.3
66.7
61.5
69.2
92.9
71.1
61.5
66.7
0.0
50.0
37.5
50.0
16.7
50.0
50.0
52.2
No.
released
No.
captured
0
0
8
2
38
6
1
12
8
26
14
26
5
4
0
10
2
5
1
1
6
1
1
1
0
16
4
2
6
5
12
1
11
3
2
3
10
4
5
5
1
6
175
99
8
5
Mean
weight
(kg)
20.5
16.0
19.0
16.0
20.8
8.0
12.0
15.4
18.4
6.0
15.3
-
Total
captures
(kg)
82
80
222
171
64
16
36
154
69
30
76
1000
15.2
91
- no data recorded
22
CPUE (+/- 1.96 SE)
A. Black marlin
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2010
2015
2010
2015
2010
2015
Financial year
CPUE (+/- 1.96 SE)
B. Striped marlin
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
1995
2000
2005
Financial year
CPUE (+/- 1.96 SE)
C. Blue marlin
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
1995
2000
2005
Financial year
CPUE (+/- 1.96 SE)
D. Spearfish
0.03
0.02
0.01
0.00
1995
2000
2005
Financial year
Figure 1. Weighted catch per unit of effort (CPUE) with 95% confidence intervals (±1.96 standard error, SE)
for: A. black marlin, B. striped marlin, C. blue marlin and D. shortbill spearfish.
23
CPUE (+/- 1.96 SE)
A. Mako shark
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2010
2015
2010
2015
Financial year
CPUE (+/- 1.96 SE)
B. Blue shark
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
1995
2000
2005
Financial year
CPUE (+/- 1.96 SE)
C. Tiger shark
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
1995
2000
2005
Financial year
Figure 2. Weighted catch per unit of effort (CPUE) with 95% confidence intervals (±1.96 standard error, SE) by
financial year end (game fishing season) for the three main shark species recorded to be caught in
game fishing tournaments: A. mako shark, B. blue shark and C. tiger shark.
24
CPUE (+/- 1.96 SE)
A. Hammerhead sharks
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2010
2015
Financial year
CPUE (+/- 1.96 SE)
B. Whaler sharks
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
-0.05
1995
2000
2005
Financial year
Figure 3. Weighted catch per unit of effort (CPUE) with 95% confidence intervals (±1.96 standard error, SE) by
financial year end (game fishing season) for composite shark species groups: A. hammerhead sharks
and B. whaler sharks.
25
CPUE (+/- 1.96 SE)
A. Albacore
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
-0.5
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2010
2015
Financial year
CPUE (+/- 1.96 SE)
B. Yellowfin tuna
1.0
0.5
0.0
1995
2000
2005
Financial year
Figure 4. Weighted catch per unit of effort (CPUE) with 95% confidence intervals (±1.96 standard error, SE) by
financial year end (game fishing season) for large tuna species: A. albacore tuna and B. yellowfin
tuna.
26
CPUE (+/- 1.96 SE)
A. Skipjack (striped) tuna
1.0
0.5
0.0
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2010
2015
2010
2015
2010
2015
Financial year
CPUE (+/- 1.96 SE)
B. Mahi Mahi (Dolphin fish)
1.0
0.5
0.0
-0.5
1995
2000
2005
Financial year
CPUE (+/- 1.96 SE)
C. Kingfish
1.0
0.5
0.0
1995
2000
2005
Financial year
CPUE (+/- 1.96 SE)
D. Wahoo
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0.00
-0.01
1995
2000
2005
Financial year
Figure 5. Weighted catch per unit of effort (CPUE) with 95% confidence intervals (±1.96 standard error, SE) by
financial year end (game fishing season) for other game fish species: A. skipjack (striped) tuna; B.
mahi mahi (dolphin fish), C. yellowtail kingfish and D. wahoo.
27
References
1
2
P.M., G. et al. Evidence of discrete yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacores) populations demands rethink of
management for this globally important resource. Scientific Reports 5, 1, doi:10.1038/srep16916 (2015).
Pilling, G., Scott, R., Williams, P. & Hampton, J. A compendium of fisheries indicators for tuna stocks not
assessed in 2016 (bigeye and yellowfin tuna) WCPFC-SC12-2016/SA-WP-03.in Western and Central Pacific
Fisheries Scientific Committee Twelfth Regular Session.
Appendices
Appendix 1. Events monitored during the game fishing season of the financial year ending in 2016 with the
number of fishing days per event that sched data were obtained. Events are listed in order from North
to South. The Zone, Port Code, Port, Tournament Code, Tournament Name are listed for each event.
Zone Port Code
north
north
north
PortS
PortS
PortS
central
central
central
central
central
central
central
central
central
south
south
south
south
south
south
south
south
south
south
south
CH
PM
PM
PS
PS
PS
NC
LM
BW
BK
PJ
PJ
BB
PH
SL
KI
SH
JB
UL
BA
BA
BG
BG
BG
ME
ED
Port Name
Coffs Harbour
Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie
Port Stephens
Port Stephens
Port Stephens
Newcastle
Lake Macquarie
Brisbane Waters
Broken Bay
Port Jackson
Port Jackson
Botany Bay
Port Hacking
Shellharbour
Kiama
Shoalhaven
Jervis Bay
Ulladulla
Batemans Bay
Batemans Bay
Bermagui
Bermagui
Bermagui
Merimbula
Eden
Tournament Code
HOTC
GOLD
GOLDL&J
INTC
LADY
SHOT
EAST
BFBZ
BLUE
CZON
CZON
MAKO
BHEY
CZON
OPEN
BBFC
OPEN
SAND
SAMS
TOLL
YELO
ALLI
BLUE
YELO
OPEN
OPEN
Event Name
2015 Hot Current Game Fishing Tournament
32nd Port Macquarie Golden Lure Tournament
32nd Port Macquarie Golden Lure Tournament Ladies and Juniors Day
2016 NSWGFA Interclub Tournament
2016 Lyndy Grieves Memorial Ladies Day
Newcastle & Port Stephens GFC Shootout
2016 East Coast Classic Tournament
Big Fish Bonanza Tournament
Central Coast GFC Blue Water Classic
The Simrad 2016 23rd Broken Bay Invitational
Little Audrey 2016 Peter Goadby Memorial Tournament
Geoff Woolley Memorial Winter Classic Tournament
29th Bill Heyward Memorial Tournament
Port Hacking GFC Shimano Port Hacking 100
Shellharbour GFC 15th Annual Game Fishing Tournament
Kiama Leagues Club 14th Annual Blowhole Big Fish Classic
Shoalhaven Open
21st Annual Okuma White Sands Game Fishing Tournament and Cash Shoot Out
The Club Marine 78th Annual Jess Sams Game Fishing Tournament
Tollgate Islands Classic
Batemans Bay Yellowfin Tuna Tournament
26th Alliance Tag & Release Tournament
Shimano Bermagui Bait & Tackle 80th Blue Water Classic
Canberra Yellowfin Tuna Tournament
36th Merimbula Open
2016 Eden Open Tournament
Total Number of Events Monitored
Total Number of Days with data
Number of Days
3
4
1
4
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
0 (Cancelled)
3
3
3
0 (Cancelled)
2
3
3
3
2
26
57
28