Annual Report of the Hawaii-Based Longline Fishery for 2000

The Hawaii-based longline fishery is the largest commercial fishery in Hawaii, with effort by this fishery spread throughout the central north Pacific. This fishery yielded pelagic landings of 24 million pounds and generated ex-vessel revenues estimated at $50 million in 2000. Landings decreased by 5 million pounds from 1999 but higher fish prices increased by ex-vessel revenue by $3 million. Tunas (Thunnus spp.), broadbill swordfish (Xiphias gladius), and sharks (Carcharhinidae, Alopiidae, Sphyrnidae, and Laminidae) were the dominant components of the longline landings.

Recent developments regarding the Hawaii-based longline fleet are discussed in this report. Descriptions of data sources, data management procedures, and data shortcomings are provided. Non-confidential data summaries on fleet activity, effort, catch, catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE), landings, revenue, average prices, size of fish, and fishery interactions with endangered and protected species are presented. Finally, this report updates longline statistics for the entire period covered by the Federal longline logbook program (1991-2000) and the shoreside market sampling program (1987-2000).