Based on a study conducted in Charleston, SC, by the Dolphinfish Research Program (DRP), the recreational catch rate of dolphinfish decreased dramatically from 2014 to 2015.The overall average number of fish caught per trip for the three-month period of May, June, and July 2015, was 15.7 percent lower than recorded for the same period in 2014.

The 40.3 percent increase of fishing trips surveyed in 2015 resulted in a near unanimous agreement from recreational anglers that the dolphin fishing was drastically decreased from last year. During May, one of 87 trips surveyed came home without a single dolphin, in June, 10% of the trips surveyed did not have a single dolphin. During July 52.4 percent of the trips surveyed did not catch a dolphin and many said that they had not even seen a dolphin. The rapid drop in the number of fish being caught gave fishermen the perception that the 2015 dolphin season had been horrible.

Despite the disappointment of recreational anglers, commercial fisherman met their dolphinfish quota for the first time. Many recreational anglers quickly placed the blame for their poor dolphin catches on the commercial activity but this may not truly be the case. Commercial fishing typically takes place in the eastern half of the Gulf Stream and the decreased abundance of dolphinfish caught by recreational anglers is most likely caused by a shift in the migratory path of the fish.

While the recreational catch rates observed in the 2015 DRP study in Charleston, SC does show that fewer dolphins were caught in the three month period of May through July, this does not necessarily mean there was a decrease in the dolphin population. Dolphin migrate a route that covers as much as 5,000 miles each year and variations in speed, behavior, and temperature play a major role in the migratory patterns. More information about the dolphin’s patterns through the year is needed to accurately establish the condition of the stock but if there is a decrease in 2016 there may be reason for concern.

FISH ON!

 

Dolphin, fish, Fisheries, Fishing, migration, Recreational Fishing

By Hailey Green

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