Size composition for swordfish Xiphias gladius in the Hawaii-based pelagic longline fishery for 1995-2016

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) size frequency data are summarized for the Hawaii-based longline fishery from the Pacific Islands Regional Observer Program (PIROP) data set. Data were separated into deep-set and shallow-set sectors to account for the targeted-species and operational differences between the two sectors. Annual and quarterly mean lengths are presented, as well as a frequency table by year, quarter, and number of swordfish measured per 5-cm length bin. Results show significant interannual and annual variability in mean length for the swordfish caught in the deep-set sector which targets tuna. Fish caught in quarters three and four were generally smaller and largest fish were caught in quarter two. Fish caught in the deep-set sector are generally smaller than those caught in the shallow-set sector. Mean length for the shallow-set fishery, which targets swordfish, was much less variable. Like the deep-set sector, smaller fish were caught in quarter three and larger fish were caught in quarter two in the shallow-set sector. Michelle Sculley, Maia Kapur, Annie Yau. "Issued 18 May 2018." Includes bibliographical references (pages 5-6). 2018 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) PIFSC (Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center) Library http://doi.org/10.7289/V5/WP-PIFSC-18-003 Public Domain 1862