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.
IMPACT
Responsible sport fishing, under the "catch and release" model, results in an average of 25.6 releases of marlin per year per vessel. Our estimate for the post-release mortality rate of the Blue Marlin in the Azores region is approximately 10%.
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 aims to characterize the current state of blue marlin fishing in the Azores, as carried out by registered medium-sized operators in the Region, and simultaneously obtain the best available information to advise on 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
Responsible sport fishing practices, such as catch and release, project an image of quality, sustainability, and excellence for the Azores region. The responsible fishing practice in the Azores, "catch and release," is economically viable and represents annual revenues per vessel exceeding 200,000 euros during a 2-3 month season.
MARKINGS
During the last 3 years of recreational fishing activity carried out in the Azores by MT operators, at least 12 electronic tags (PSAT) were applied to Blue Marlin, which, after being caught, were released alive. The results contribute to the knowledge of the biology and migration of the species and confirm survival after release (data to be published soon).
ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
Local vessels MT:
- They remove more hooks from Blue Swordfish than are lost during the fishing season.
- They frequently collect plastic waste from the ocean.
- They frequently report navigational hazards and may report questionable fishing activities.
Large pelagic fish, including marlin, swordfish, tuna, and sharks, only react to the presence of a boat within 30 meters, indicating a 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.