Marine Resources Assessment for the Marianas Operating ... - SPREP

AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT
1000 Pounds
1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Commercial Pelagics PMUS Total Pelagics
82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03
Years
Figure 4-8. Annual estimated commercial, pelagic management unit species, and total landings
(1000 pounds) for pelagic species on Guam from 1982 through 2003. Source: PIFSC (2004).
Pounds (1000's)
500
400
300
200
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0
Dolphinfish Wahoo Skipjack tuna Yellowfin tuna Pacific blue marlin
82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 0 01 02 03
Years
Figure 4-9. Annual estimated total landings (1000 pounds) for the five top pelagic species on
Guam from 1982 through 2003. Source: NMFS (2004e).
commercial landings for pelagic species were 32% lower than the peak year of 1998 and have gradually
decreased since 2001. Despite decreasing revenues and increasing costs of operations (fuel, boat
maintenance and gear), the pelagic fishery continues, since it is a secondary source of income for many
fishermen (WPRFMC 2004c).
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