The Sport Fishery for Sailfish at Malindi, Kenya, 1958-1968, with Some Biological Notes

Statistical data are presented on the sport fishery for sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus, at Malindi, Kenya, for the ten seasons, July 1958–June 1968. Effort has remained relatively stable, whilst catch and catch per unit effort have increased rapidly since the 1963-64 season. Catch and size of fish appear mainly independent of events taking place in the sport fishery. Aspects of length-weight relationships, length distributions, and growth are discussed with reference to Atlantic and West Pacific fish. Mean weight of sailfish in the sport and commercial fisheries is shown to have declined significantly in recent years, almost certainly due to increased fishing pressure exerted on stocks by commercial longliners in the equatorial western Indian Ocean. Migration of sailfish into East African coastal waters is discussed in relation to the environmental conditions. Recommendations are made for continued monitoring of the sport fishery and for future research.