MD and NC weekly and annual reports on BFT landngs

2013 Final Report
Survey of Recreationally Highly Migratory Species Landings in Maryland for Atlantic Bluefin
Tuna (ABT), Billfishes and Coastal Sharks
Introduction
Globally, tunas, billfishes (White Marlin (Kajikia albida), Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans),
Roundscale Spearfish (Tetrapturus georgii), Swordfish (Xiphias gladius), and Sailfish (Istiophorus
platypterus)), and some sharks are governed by the International Commission for the Conservation of
Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). It is the mission of ICCAT to ensure “the conservation of tunas and tuna-like
species in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas.” (ICCAT, 2013). To manage these species, ICCAT
assigns catch quotas to each member country. In the United States (US), tuna and billfish
recommendations from ICCAT are implemented by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
division of Highly Migratory Species (HMS) under the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act and Magnuson
Stevens Act. The Fishery Conservation Amendments of 1990 classified tunas and billfishes to be
HMS. In 1996, the Sustainable Fisheries Act modified the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and
Management Act to form advisory panels that aid in creating fishery management plans to manage
billfishes and HMS. Responsibilities of the panels include lowering bycatch and mortality related to
bycatch, and stopping overfishing (NMFS, 2013).
In the late 1990’s, NMFS required all recreational anglers to report Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
(ABT; Thunnus thynnus) landings via a toll free phone number. In Maryland, that system was
determined to be ineffective for accurately documenting recreational ABT landings. As a result,
NMFS worked with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) to implement an ABT
Catch Card and Tagging Program as an alternative method in 1999. Billfishes were added to the list of
species required to be reported through MDNR’s Catch Card and Tagging Program in 2002 because of
concerns for White Marlin. The Roundscale Spearfish was listed as a separate species in 2011. As of
May 27, 2013 recreational anglers in Maryland were required to report 19 species of sharks using the
catch card program because recreational landings data for most shark species are highly imprecise and
generally lacking. Additionally, the cards provide an opportunity to collect biological data that could
be used in stock assessments including: lengths, weights, and the sex ratios of encountered shark
populations.
Information was collected by the National Marine Fisheries Service in 2011 concerning
expenses incurred from the pursuit of marine recreational fishing. This effort, the National Marine
Recreational Fishery Expenditures Survey, estimates that marine anglers spent $19 billion dollars on
items such as boats and tackle (equipment and durable goods). In addition to this, $4.4 billion is
thought to have been spent on commodities associated with trips like bait and fuel. An estimate places
the number of jobs supported by these expenditures at 364,000, with the total impacts on the U.S.
economy believed to be $56 million (Lovell et al., 2013). Accurately monitoring the recreational
harvest of Bluefin Tuna, billfishes and sharks along the Atlantic coast is vitally important to the
cultural, social, and economic impacts that recreational fishing has on Ocean City, MD. In 2013,
anglers in search of HMS species off Maryland and Delaware took an estimated 7,174 trips (Personal
communication from the National Marine Fisheries Service, Fisheries Statistics Division January 29,
2014). For all species in 2013, out-of-state anglers accounted for 38% of saltwater fishing (Personal
communication from the National Marine Fisheries Service, Fisheries Statistics Division January 15,
2014). One study credited the 2009 White Marlin Open with pumping $16 million dollars into the
regional economy and the creation of 130 jobs. An estimated 5,000 people came from other states
during the tournament week (Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, Division
of Marketing and Communications-Office of Research, 2010). Monitoring of this important fishery is
a priority for Maryland and is a useful tool for NMFS management.
2

Objectives
 Continue a long-term monitoring study of all recreationally landed ABT, billfishes (White Marlin,
Blue Marlin, Swordfish, Roundscale Spearfish and Sailfish) and sharks in Maryland and supply
those data to NMFS for use in assessment and management of HMS.
 Continue development of program awareness among recreational anglers in order to increase
compliance rates.
Materials and Methods
Nine marinas signed a cooperative participation agreement, qualifying them as a Recreational
ABT/Billfish/Shark Reporting Station (Table 1 and Figure 1). This season, two tackle shops were also
added as reporting stations just for sharks. They signed a slightly modified version of the agreement as
they would not see any billfishes or ABT at their establishments (Figure 2). The contract required
marinas to distribute and collect catch cards, issue tags, and return leftover supplies to MDNR at the
conclusion of the fishing season. Based on the 2012 reporting rate of each marina, an appropriate
amount of catch cards and tags were delivered to each reporting station. MDNR biologists visited
marina participants twice a week, from June 6 through September 30, to maintain adequate supplies
and collect completed catch cards. Leftover tags were inventoried at the end of the season by MDNR.
In addition to the marinas, a Bluefin Tuna, Billfish, and Shark After Hours Kiosk was available
at the MDNR field office in 2013 (Figure 3). Marinas were asked to inform anglers about the kiosk
and were provided signs to post. This information was also included in the letter sent to HMS permit
holders in the spring. Anglers were expected to complete the catch card and the attached receipt,
which would replace the tag. The catch card was to be deposited into a locked box that was fastened
directly to the kiosk. Anglers retained the receipt, which recorded the same data as the card. A sign
was placed at the boat ramp in west Ocean City advertising the kiosk and explaining that sharks were
included in the tagging program (Figure 4). The Natural Resources Police (NRP) also placed an
informative sign at the ramp (Figure 5).
Anglers were responsible for completing a catch card when they returned to port for each ABT,
billfish, or shark on board their vessel (Figures 6 and 7). A tag was awarded for each completed catch
card and the angler was required to place this tag around the tail of the fish before removing it from the
vessel (Figure 8), or before removing a shark from the point of landing if fishing from shore. Trailered
boats could not be pulled from the water until the tag was in place.
In an attempt to improve data quality and compliance, staff attended two large fishing
tournaments: the White Marlin Open (August 6-9, 2013) and the Mid-Atlantic $500,000 (August 1923, 2013). Recreational catch card landings were entered into a Microsoft Access database for
management. Status reports based on data collected from catch cards were periodically sent to NMFS.
Microsoft Excel was utilized for generating graphs, averages, modes and data cleaning.
Results
Bluefin Tuna
ABT regulations for the 2013 season are listed in Table 2. No completed catch cards were
found in the kiosk for either 2012 or 2013. Landings peaked during the first week of July which is
similar to previous years except 2011 (Figure 9). Weeks two through four of the July landings were
higher in 2013 than previous years.
For 2013, a total of 416 ABT were reported through MDNRs ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card
and Tagging Program and for comparison, in 2012 a total of 190 fish were reported (Table 3). One
hundred and twenty-one fish (29.1%) were classified as schools (27 to <47 in.). The average Curved
Fork Length (CFL) for schools was 44.2 inches and the mode was 46 inches. The large school class
(47 to <59 in.) was represented by 237 fish (57.0%) with an average CFL of 50.9 and mode of 50.0
3

inches. The small medium class (59 to < 73 in.) had 49 fish (11.8%) with 62.3 inches for the average
CFL and a mode of 60 inches. The CFL for nine fish was unknown (2.2%). In 2013, the average CFL
was similar to 2012 (46 inches and 46.9 inches, respectively) and the mode for all classes combined
was essentially the same (50.3 inches) as in 2012 (50.0 inches). An ABT size class frequency
comparison for the years 2010 to 2013 is presented in Figure 10.
Cumulative yearly reported landings for 2013 were evaluated and compared to data from the
preceding three seasons (Figure 11). In 2012, 83 ABT were landed from late April (4/30) to late June
and for 2013, only six ABT were landed for the same time period showing this species arrived in
greater numbers much later for the past season (Figures 9 and 11). This season’s recreational harvest
was slightly lower compared to 2010 and 2011, but well above 2012’s recreational landings. Since the
project began in 1999, 2013’s harvest was the second lowest in the history of the survey.
Based on the catch card reports, charter trips landed 70.7% (294 ABT) of the recreational catch
during the 2013 season (Table 4 and Figure 12). Private trips comprised 28.6% of the landings (119
ABT) and a headboat accounted for one (0.2%) ABT. The trip type for two landings (0.5%) was
unknown.
From 2010 through 2013 season, the number of non-tournament ABT landings has always
comprised over 90% of all ABT boated off of Ocean City (Table 4).
Billfishes (Roundscale Spearfish, White Marlin, Blue Marlin, Swordfish, and Sailfish)
Billfish regulations are in Table 5. A total of 40 billfishes were reported in 2013 through
MDNRs ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program (Table 6). No Swordfish or Sailfish
were reported in 2013. No Sailfish have ever been brought in since billfish tagging was begun.
The number of Roundscale Spearfish being reported has declined since 2010 even though more
anglers know how to differentiate them from White Marlin (Table 7). One Roundscale Spearfish was
landed in 2013. The number of White Marlin landed in 2013 (34) is second only to the number boated
in 2010 (36; Table 7 and Figure 13). In 2013 the average Lower Jaw Fork Length (LJFL) for White
Marlin was higher (69.6 inches) than 2012 (68.2 inches; Table 7). The average weight for White
Marlin was 68.3 pounds for 2013 and 67.4 pounds in 2012. At least one undersized White Marlin was
reported in each of the past three years (Tables 8). These three fish make up 2.7% of the 113 White
Marlin landed since 2010. One was at 65.5 inches which is extremely close to the minimum size limit.
There are two billfish cards where nothing was recorded for length (Table 6). A length was missing
for a swordfish in 2010. All billfish cards had length data in 2011 and 2012. Both situations will be
monitored to see if these trends continue and if so, what actions may be necessary to address them.
Five Blue Marlin were reported in 2013 (Table 7 and Figure 13). The mean LJFL of the Blue
Marlin landed in 2013 was 107.1 and the average weight was 514.2 pounds (Table 7). Last season the
average LJFL and weight was 104.5 inches and 422.0 pounds. Anglers complied with the 99 in. LJFL
minimum size for the past four years (Tables 5, 6, and 8). Unlike ABT, the majority of billfishes were
landed during tournaments (Table 9). Most landings were reported as private trips (54%; Figure 14).
Sharks
State shark regulations are presented in Table 10. Forty-seven of the 69 sharks landed were
Shortfin Makos (68 %); Table 11 and Figure 15). Sex was reported for 33 Makos of which 11 were
males and 12 were females. The next most numerous reported shark was the Atlantic Sharpnose (19%;
13 sharks). Eight males and one female were reported for this species. Common Thresher Sharks
represented 12% (8 fish) of the catch. Three of these were females and the sex is unknown for the rest.
One female Spinner Shark (1%) was reported. The majority (55) of sharks were landed outside of
tournaments. Charter trips brought in only slightly more sharks than private trips (Table 12 and Figure
16). Zero sharks were reported landed on the beach.
4

Compliance
The 2013 landings estimated from the catch card program for ABT and sharks are lower than
estimates produced through the NMFS Large Pelagic Survey. For example, the 47 shortfin mako catch
cards were lower than the 2013 LPS estimate of 139 shortfin makos landed (PSE 26.3) between
Maryland and Delaware combined (Personal communication from the National Marine Fisheries
Service, Fisheries Statistics Division March 19, 2014). While the LPS estimate is for Maryland and
Delaware combined, this is still an indication that we need to improve compliance over this pilot year
in the shark catch card program.
Catch card percent of landings by mode were also somewhat different than the LPS survey.
About one-half of the shortfin mako and 71% of the ABT catch cards were reported by charter boats.
By comparison, 90% of the LPS shortfin mako estimate and 62% of the LPS ABT estimate is due to
private boat effort. These results suggest that private boat compliance rate with the mandatory catch
card program is less than charter boat compliance, and that overall compliance should be improved for
both modes.

Recommendations:
1. Continue monitoring the recreational ABT, billfishes, swordfish, sailfish and shark landings in
Ocean City, Maryland.
2. Continue working to improve compliance by:
a. Attending major tournaments;
b. Posting species identification signs;
c. Reminding captains of trailered vessels that they are required to obtain catch cards and
tag any HMS species before removing their boats from the water;
d. Increasing awareness about the after hours kiosk to the fishing community;
e. Meeting with fishing organizations such as the Assateague Mobile Sportfishing
Association to increase awareness of the shark catch card program for surf-fishing
anglers;
f. Working with Natural Resource Police officers to educate anglers of the shark catch
card requirement.

References
ICCAT. “International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.” 19 Nov. 2013.
.
Lovell, Sabrina, Scott Steinback, and James Hilger. The Economic Contribution of Marine
Angler Expenditures in the United States, 2011. U.S. Dep. Commerce, NOAA Tech. Memo.
NMFS-F/SPO-134, 188 p. 2013.
NMFS. “Introduction to the Highly Migratory Species Management Division.” 19 Nov. 2013.
.
NMFS Statistics Division. Personal Communication. 29 Jan.
2014.
State of Maryland. Department of Business and Economic Development. Division of Marketing and
Communications-Office of Research. The Economic Impact of the White Marlin Open. 2010.
5

List of Tables
Table 1.
List of 2013 Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program reporting
stations.
Table 2.
2013 summary of federal management measures for Atlantic Bluefin Tunas.
Table 3.
Summary of the 2010 to 2013 recreationally landed Atlantic Bluefin Tunas reported
through the Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program combined
with averages and modes per class.
Table 4.
Comparison of Maryland recreational Bluefin Tuna landings by trip type and tournament
participation from 2010 to 2013.
Table 5.
2013 summary of federal management measures for billfishes.
Table 6.
Confidential list of the 2013 billfish landings reported through MDNRs
ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program.
Table 7.
Summary of the 2010 to 2013 recreationally landed billfish reported through the Maryland
ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program combined with lower jaw fork
length averages, modes and weight averages by species.
Table 8.
Summary of 2010 to 2013 length and weight ranges recreationally landed billfish
reported through the Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program.
Table 9.
Comparison of Maryland recreational billfish landings by trip type and tournament
participation from 2010 to 2013.
Table 10. 2013 Maryland recreational shark regulations.
Table 11. 2013 summary of recreational landings, sex, average length, mode, length and weight
ranges, for sharks from Ocean City, Maryland, n=69. Data were reported through the
Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program.
Table 12. Comparison of Maryland recreational shark landings by trip type and tournament
participation in 2013.

7

List of Figures
Figure 1.
Example of the 2013 Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program
contract between MDNR and marinas to act as a recreational reporting station.
Figure 2.
Example of the 2013 Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program
contract between MDNR and marinas to act as a recreational reporting station for sharks.
Figure 3.
Photograph of the 2013 Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program
After Hours Kiosk located at the MDNR field office in west Ocean City.
Figure 4.
2013 Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program After Hours Kiosk
sign and the addition of sharks to the Catch Card Program sign placed at the west Ocean
City boat ramp.
Figure 5.
Photograph of the Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark catch Card and Tagging Program
promotional sign posted at the west Ocean City boat ramp by MD Natural Resources
Police.
Figure 6.
Examples of the 2013 Maryland Atlantic Bluefin Tuna and Billfish Catch Cards. Cards
measured 5x7 inches.
Figure 7.
Example of the 2013 Maryland Shark Catch Card front and back. Card measured 5x7
inches.
Figure 8.
Examples of the 2013 Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program
tags.
Figure 9.
Weekly seasonal landings of recreationally landed Atlantic Bluefin Tuna for Maryland
from 2010 to 2013, n = 1,460. Data were reported through the Maryland ABT/Billfish/
Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program.
Figure 10. 2010 to 2013 size class frequency comparison of recreationally landed Atlantic Bluefin
Tuna from Maryland. Data were reported through the Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark
Catch Card and Tagging Program (n= 1,460).
Figure 11. Cumulative recreational Atlantic Bluefin Tuna landings by month and week from Ocean
City, Maryland, from 2010 to 2013, n = 1,460. Data were reported through the Maryland
ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program.
Figure 12. 2013 Maryland recreational Atlantic Bluefin Tuna landings by trip type (n= 416). Data
were reported through the Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging
Program.
Figure 13. Comparison of the frequency of recreationally caught billfishes in Maryland from 2010 to
2013, n = 167. Data were reported through the Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card
and Tagging Program.
Figure 14. 2013 Maryland recreational billfish landings by trip type (n= 40). Data were reported
through the Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program.
Figure 15. Recreationally landed sharks from Ocean City, Maryland caught in 2013. Data were
reported through the Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program.
Figure 16. 2013 Maryland recreational shark landings by trip type (n= 69). Data were reported
through the Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program.

8

Table 1. List of 2013 Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program reporting
stations.
Station ID
Reporting Station
City /State
Phone Number
1
Ake Marine
Ocean City, MD
(410) 213-0421
2
Bahia Marina
Ocean City, MD
(410) 289-7438
3
Fisherman’s Marina
Ocean City, MD
(410) 213-2478
4
Ocean Pines Marina
Ocean Pines, MD
(410) 641-7447
5
O.C. Fishing Center
Ocean City, MD
(410) 213-1121
6
Talbot Street Pier & Marina
Ocean City, MD
(410) 289-9125
7
White Marlin Marina
Ocean City, MD
(410) 289-6470
8
Sunset Marina
Ocean City, MD
(410) 213-9600
9
Pines Point Provisions and Seafood
Ocean Pines, MD
(410) 641-2248
10
Buck’s Place*
Berlin, MD
(443) 513-4661
11
Alltackle*
Ocean City, MD
(410) 213-2840
*Shark-only reporting stations.
Table 2. 2013 summary of federal management measures for Atlantic Bluefin Tunas.
Dates
Category
Creel/trip
Min Size CFL (in.)
Recreational
1/Vessel/Day/Trip
47 to <73
June 1-Dec.31
Charter/Headboat
1/Vessel/Day/Trip
27 to <47
Charter/Headboat
1/Vessel/Day/Trip
47 to <73
The southern area “trophy” ABT fishery was closed down for the entire season.
Table 3. Summary of the 2010 to 2013 recreationally landed Atlantic Bluefin Tunas reported through the Maryland
ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program combined with averages and modes per class.
2010
2011
2012
2013
Size Class
% of
% of
% of
Cnt. Avg. Mode
Cnt. Avg. Mode
Cnt. Avg. Mode
Cnt. Avg. Mode
Category (in.)
Total
Total
Total
School
292 38.9 42.0
69.0
375 37.4 32.0
87.0
81
41.5 42.0
42.6 121 44.2 46.0
(27-<47)
Large School
123 50.4 51.0
29.1
40
58.0
9.3
97
50.9 50.0
51.1 237 50.9 50.0
(47-<59)
54.7
Small Medium
2
59.0 59.0
0.5
2
59.0 59.0
0.5
1
60.0 60.0
0.5
49 62.3 60.0
(59-<73)
Unknown
6
1.4
14
3.2
11
5.8
9
Total 423
431
190
416

% of
Total
29.1
57.0
11.8
2.2
9

Table 4. Comparison of Maryland recreational Bluefin Tuna landings by trip type and tournament
participation from 2010 to 2013.
Trip
# of Landings based on
Private
Charter
Headboat
Unknown
Type
Tournament Participation
% of
% of
% of
% of
NonYear
Cnt.
Total
Cnt.
Total
Cnt.
Total
Cnt.
Total
Tournament
Tournament
Landings
Landings
Landings
Landings
2010
191
45.9
221
53.0
3
0.7
5
1.2
27
396
2011
239
55.6
176
40.9
7
1.6
8
1.7
24
404
2012
71
37.0
117
62.0
----8
1.0
8
182
2013
119
28.6
294
70.7
1
0.2
2
0.5
24
392

Table 5. 2013 Summary of federal management measures for billfishes.
Dates
Species
Category
Creel/trip
Blue Marlin
A/C/H
Jan.1 – Dec. 31
White Marlin
A/C/H
No Limits
Sailfish
A/C/H
Swordfish
Swordfish
Swordfish
Angler (A), Charter (C), and Headboat (H).
Jan.1 – Dec. 31

A
C
H

1 / Person; 4 / Vessel
1 / Paying Person; 6 / Vessel
1 / Paying Person; 15 / Vessel

Min Size LJFL (in.)
99
66
63
47
47
47

10

Table 6. List of the 2013 billfish landings reported through MDNRs ABT/Billfish/Shark
Catch Card and Tagging Program.
Date
7/14/2013
8/5/2013
8/8/2013
8/8/2013
8/16/2013
8/8/2013
8/5/2013
8/5/2013
8/5/2013
8/5/2013
8/7/2013
8/7/2013
8/7/2013
8/7/2013
8/7/2013
8/6/2013
8/6/2013
8/6/2013
8/6/2013
8/6/2013
8/6/2013
8/6/2013
8/6/2013
8/8/2013
8/8/2013
8/19/2013
8/20/2013
8/20/2013
8/20/2013
8/20/2013
8/21/2013
8/21/2013
8/23/2013
8/23/2013
8/22/2013
9/6/2013
9/8/2013
9/2/2013
9/7/2013
10/2/2013

Common Name
Blue Marlin
Blue Marlin
Blue Marlin
Blue Marlin
Blue Marlin
Roundscale Spearfish
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin

Length (in.)
99
103.5
108
101
124
68
71
68
68.75
67.25
71.5
74
75
74.25
70.75
68
64.25
71.5
71
66.75
75.5
68.5
72
71.25
69
66.25
73
70.5
67
66.5
67.25
72
66.5
71
66.5
67

Weight (lbs.)
368

67.5
66.5

58
51
84

449.5
725
60.5
69.5
63
67
62
72.5
83
77
77
67.5
69
76.5
72.5
72.5
63
77
70
77
61
84
62
59
62
62
59
69
55

Trip Type
Charter
Private
Private
Charter
Private
Charter
Private
Private
Private
Private
Private
Charter
Charter
Charter
Charter
Private
Private
Private
Charter
Private
Private
Private
Private
Charter
Private
Private
Charter
Private
Private
Charter
Private
Private
Private
Charter
Charter
Private
Charter
Charter
Charter

Tournament Name
N/A
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
N/A
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
White Marlin Open
Mid-Atlantic $500,000
Mid-Atlantic $500,000
Mid-Atlantic $500,000
Mid-Atlantic $500,000
Mid-Atlantic $500,000
Mid-Atlantic $500,000
Mid-Atlantic $500,000
Mid-Atlantic $500,000
Mid-Atlantic $500,000
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

11

Table 7. Summary of the 2010 to 2013 recreationally landed billfish reported through the Maryland ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card
and Tagging Program combined with lower jaw fork length averages, modes and weight averages by species.
2010
Species
White
Marlin
Blue Marlin
Roundscale
Spearfish
Swordfish
Total

2011

2012

Cnt.

Avg.
(in.)

Mode
(in.)

% of
Total

Avg.
Wt.
(lbs.)

36

69.7

67

61

69.1

26

70.4

5.1

725.2

6

107.3

101

15

484.3

5

104.2

69.5

32.2

70.6

7

68.9

68.3

17.5

64.2

4

69.3

3

118

19

70.3

1
59

1.7

Cnt.

Avg.
(in.)

Mode
(in.)
67

1
40

% of
Total

Avg.
Wt.
(lbs.)

Cnt.

Avg.
(in.)

Mode
(in.)

65

71.8

17

68.2

67

2.5

2
28

68

2013
% of
Total

Avg.
Wt.
(lbs.)

Cnt.

Avg.
(in.)

Mode
(in.)

% of
Total

Avg.
Wt.
(lbs.)

60.7

67.4

34

69.6

66.5

85

68.3

17.9

422.0

5

107.1

12.5

514.2

14.3

63.5

1

2.5

7.1
40

Table 8. Summary of 2010 to 2013 length and weight ranges recreationally landed billfish reported through the Maryland
ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program.
2010
2011
2012
2013
Weight
Weight
Weight
Weight
LJFL Range
LJFL Range
LJFL Range
LJFL Range
Species
Range
Range
Range
Range
(Inches)
(Inches)
(Inches)
(Inches)
(Pounds)
(Pounds)
(Pounds)
(Pounds)
White Marlin
66.5-80.5
55.0-92.0
63.0-81.0
55.0-112.0
65.5-70.5
59.5-79.0
64.25-75.5
51.0-84.0
Blue Marlin
104.0-130.0 375.0-1010.5 101.0-120.0 258.0-699.5
100.0-110.0 390.5-456.5
99.0-124.0
368.0-725.0
Roundscale
66.5-74.0
55.5-97.5
67.5-71.0
58.0-69.0
68.0-72.0
52.5-72.0
68.0
60.5
Spearfish
Swordfish
Est. at 69.0
140.0
50.0
N/A
55.0-58.0
N/A-93.0

12

Table 9. Comparison of Maryland recreational billfish landings by trip type and tournament
participation from 2010 to 2013.
Year
Charter
Private
Unknown
Tournament
Non-Tournament
2010
24
34
1
56
3
2011
14
24
2
31
9
2012
5
23
23
5
2013
17
22
1
32
8

Table 10. 2013 Maryland recreational shark regulations.
Closed Season
Species
No Harvest or Transport from
Maryland or Federal Waters
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark (Rhizoprionodon
None
terraenovae)
Blacknose Shark (Carcharhinus acronotus)

None

Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus)
Blue Shark (Prionace glauca)
Bonnethead Shark (Sphyrna tiburo)
Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas)
Common Thresher Shark (Alopias vulpinus)

May 15 through July 15
None
None
May 15 through July 15
None

Finetooth Shark (Carcharhinus isodon)

None

Minimum Fork Length
None
None 1/1/13-7/31/13
54 inches 8/1/13-Present
54 inches
54 inches
None
54 inches
54 inches
None 1/1/13-7/31/13
54 inches 8/1/13-Present
54 inches 1/1/13-7/31/13
78 inches 8/1/13-Present
54 inches 1/1/13-7/31/13
78 inches 8/1/13-Present
54 inches 1/1/13-7/31/13
78 inches 8/1/13-Present
54 inches
54 inches

Hammerhead Shark, Great (Sphyrna
May 15 through July 15
mokarran)
Hammerhead Shark, Scalloped (Sphyrna
May 15 through July 15
lewini)
Hammerhead Shark, Smooth (Sphyrna
May 15 through July 15
zygaena)
Lemon Shark (Negaprion brevirostris)
May 15 through July 15
Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum)
May 15 through July 15
Oceanic Whitetip Shark (Carcharhinus
None
54 inches
longimanus)
Porbeagle Shark (Lamna nasus)
None
54 inches
Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)
None
54 inches
Smooth Dogfish (Mustelus canis)
None
None
Spinner Shark (Carcharhinus brevipinna)
May 15 through July 15
54 inches
Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
May 15 through July 15
54 inches
**It is illegal for a highly migratory species (HMS) general, angling, and charter/headboat category permit
holders (when fishing in a registered Atlantic HMS tournament) to possess Oceanic Whitetip Sharks or
Hammerhead Sharks at the same time as tunas, billfish or swordfish.

13

Table 11. 2013 Summary of recreational landings, sex, average length, mode, length and weight
ranges, for sharks from Ocean City, MD, n = 69. Data were reported through the Maryland
ABT/Billfish/Shark Catch Card and Tagging Program.
Average
Sex
Length Range Weight Range
Species
Cnt.
Length
Mode
(Inches)
(Pounds)
M
F
U
(Inches )
(Inches)
Atlantic
13
8
1
4
31.2
31.0
30.0-33.0
8.0-12.0
Sharpnose
Spinner
1
1
125.0
Shark
Common
* Lengths for
8
3
5
76.5
54.0-102.0
180.0-485.0
Thresher
six sharks
Shortfin
47 11 12 24
65.9
58.0
56.0 -85.0
70.0-209.5
Mako
Total 69
* No mode as all lengths are different.
Table 12. Comparison of Maryland recreational shark landings by trip type and tournament
participation in 2013.
Boat Type
2013

Charter

Private

Unknown

Tournament

Non-Tournament

36

31

2

14

55

14