Dolphin fish (mahi-mahi)

[MakoMike]

Anyone target dolphin fish or mahi-mahi as they are sometimes called? I ask because I have recently been appointed as an advisor to the SAFMC to represent fishermen in the mid-Atlantic and New England regions. The SAFMC (south Atlantic fishery management council) is in charge of all dolphin fishing in the Atlantic, including fishing in our region. They are contemplating additional measures to reduce dolphin landings by increasing the minimum size (currently no size limits) and bag limits (currently no bag limits). They are all considering extending these measures to our area. They are talking about a minimum size of 20 inches and a bag limit of 5 or 10 fish perversion with a possible boat limit 54 fish. These figures are preliminary and subject to change, How would these measures affect your fishing and what are your preferences?

 

[george]

Hey Mike,

I hope all is well and thanks for serving on the council.

I don't target them often, but like many other species moving north, many were found inside of 10-miles in recent years. A lot of boats were looking for them while they were fluking. With that in mind it has the potential to impact both inshore and offshore Anglers.

Do we know what they're basing the 20-inches on? Have they spawned by then or did they just pick a number? They live up to 5 years and a 20-inch fish weighs roughly 2.5 pounds. As you know there's not much fillet there.

As for bag, I think we should go with the highest number possible according to the science. There have been many times where are have voluntarily taken reductions only to see those fish go to other states like on the car off bluefish.

I hope they're also looking at any targeted commercial fishery.I hate when we take a cut and hand it over to the commercial fishery.

One last question, aren't they also known as Dorado?

 

[Roccus7]

One last question, aren't they also known as Dorado?

Yes on Dorado George...

Funniest thing was the first time I ate Mahi, at the long lost "Rhumb Line" in Greenport back in the early 80s. They had a chalkboard menu and it said "Dolphin - The FISH, NOT Flipper!!"

 

[MakoMike]

Hey Mike,

I hope all is well and thanks for serving on the council.

I don't target them often, but like many other species moving north, many were found inside of 10-miles in recent years. A lot of boats were looking for them while they were fluking. With that in mind it has the potential to impact both inshore and offshore Anglers.

Do we know what they're basing the 20-inches on? Have they spawned by then or did they just pick a number? They live up to 5 years and a 20-inch fish weighs roughly 2.5 pounds. As you know there's not much fillet there.

As for bag, I think we should go with the highest number possible according to the science. There have been many times where are have voluntarily taken reductions only to see those fish go to other states like on the car off bluefish.

I hope they're also looking at any targeted commercial fishery.I hate when we take a cut and hand it over to the commercial fishery.

One last question, aren't they also known as Dorado?

All good questions and ye they are also known as dorado.

Dolphin are a data poor species. We do know, according to the scientists that at 20 inches they have had a chance to spawn at least once and maybe twice.

The real issue is that the boys fishing off the east coast of FL perceive that there has been a reduction in the available biomass. The boys fishing off of the Carolinas see no such reduction and there is no stock assessment. FL has proposed state limits that are much more restrictive than the federal measures.

With the warming waters the council wants to get out in front of problem which is why I was invited to join the AP. The only commercial fishery in our area is by the lobstermen who catch them when thy go to pull their gear. It doesn't appear to be a large fishery, and will continue anyway under all of the proposals.

Bag limits are a huge question. Evidently the charter/party fleet down off of the Carolinas has a bag limit of 10 fish per angler with a boat limit of 60 fish. The Floridians don't like that. There are several alternative proposals, one to exclude the Capt. & mate from contributing to the boat limit, another would reduce the boat limit to 54 fish. I don't see either of those proposals as a problem for us up here sine IMHO there is very little charter/party activity on the species.

Having said that, I do think a 10 fish per man is reasonable, perhaps including a boat limit of some sort. But I posted here to see what you guys think.