VIDA PELÁGICA
associação marítimo-turística
AZORES
AVP - Vida Pelágica Association, was created to represent the interest of operators and anglers practicing “catch and release” blue marlin fishing within the region of the Azores and to offer data, consultation and advice concerning the management of the sector.
ECOSYSTEM FIRST
IMPACT
Ethical “catch and release” sport fishing can be shown to have post release mortality rates as low as 10%, the equivalent to 2.65 Blue Marlin losses per year per boat in the Azores region.
Based on data collected and shared with DOP/ University of the Azores between 2017 – 2022 for the most active and successful MT boat specialized in Blue Marlin fishing within the region during the same period. Brasília Reports 2017-2022
By comparison, a shore angler putting 10 fish in a bucket can cause 4x more suffering and mortality in a single day than an MT "catch and release" boat causes in an entire year??
ADVICE
AVP provides insight into the status modern “catch and release” blue marlin fishing in the Azores and offers data, consultation and advice as to the future management of the sector.
AVP advocates for 100% non-extractive fishing practices within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), aiming to ensure the implementation and regulation of measures that guarantee that this fishing model is carried out in a safe, sustainable manner and in favor of the conservation of marine life.
REGIONAL VALUE
Ethical catch and release fishing is economically viable with top boats presenting annual revenues in excess of 200k per year during a 2-3 month season. Ethical sport fishing practices project an image of quality and excellence for the region of the Azores
TAGGING
More than 12 electronic PSAT satellite tags have been deployed by sport fishing vessels within the region during the last 3 years, the tags confirm post release survival, behaviour and species migration data with recovery success rates data soon to be published.
ENVIRONMENT
Local MT boats:
– remove more hooks from blue marlin than are lost during the “catch and release” fishing
– frequently collect plastic refuse from the ocean
– frequently report navigation hazards and may report questionable fishing activities
– large pelagic fishes including marlins, swordfish and sharks show first reaction to the presence of a boat at circa 30m indicating minimal acoustic impact
Another none regional commercial hook removed from a blue marlin before its safe release (without any hook) on August 26th, 2025 by the MT boat Blue Skye, fishing out of Horta. 5-10% of blue marlin caught in the Azores have pre existing none regional commercial hooks in them, the majority of which are being removed by local MT sport fishing vessels.