Billfishes are oceanic organisms, highly migratory, large, slow growing, and complex reproductive cycles. They are top predators that feed on pelagic organisms of ocean waters and demersal organisms of the seabed.
Several species of billfishes have been the traditional support of recreational fishing, in addition to being subject to bycatch in industrial and artisanal fishing.
In Panama, fishing for black marlin, blue marlin, striped marlin, lancet fish, white marlin, sailfish and swordfish is reserved for recreational fishing (according to Executive Decree No. 33 of 1997). In many countries these species are caught
under the concept of "capture and release" in which the fish is caught with a hook and subsequently released from the boat.
The National Plan of Action for Sustainable Fisheries was adopted in 2017. The Plan recognizes that fishery resources are under excessive pressure due to the uncontrolled increase in fishing effort without controls for many years, which would result in their loss of not urgently implementing a sustainable management The need to obtain reliable fishery statistics that allow the scientific management of fishery resources, including the recreational fishing subsector, is identified. The conservation of these species requires local and regional fisheries statistics and sustainable management measures.
Several species of billfishes have been the traditional support of recreational fishing, in addition to being subject to bycatch in industrial and artisanal fishing.
In Panama, fishing for black marlin, blue marlin, striped marlin, lancet fish, white marlin, sailfish and swordfish is reserved for recreational fishing (according to Executive Decree No. 33 of 1997). In many countries these species are caught
under the concept of "capture and release" in which the fish is caught with a hook and subsequently released from the boat.
The National Plan of Action for Sustainable Fisheries was adopted in 2017. The Plan recognizes that fishery resources are under excessive pressure due to the uncontrolled increase in fishing effort without controls for many years, which would result in their loss of not urgently implementing a sustainable management The need to obtain reliable fishery statistics that allow the scientific management of fishery resources, including the recreational fishing subsector, is identified. The conservation of these species requires local and regional fisheries statistics and sustainable management measures.
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