Fisheries biology and ecology of highly migratory species that commonly interact with industrialised longline and purse-seine fisheries

Details of the biology and ecology of species are critical in understanding population dynamics and the impact of fisheries on stocks and species in the WCPO. Simple biological information, such as size-at-age, growth rates, mortality rates and movements are required in order to better understand the population dynamics of each species. In addition, these biological data are critical inputs to simple production models and stock assessment models, if such models are to be developed for these species in the future. This paper briefly reviews and describes the fisheries biology and ecology of 19 species commonly captured by industrialised longline and purse-seine fisheries of the WCPO; skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, albacore tuna, blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, shortbill spearfish, Indo-Pacific sailfish, swordfish, wahoo, opah, mahimahi, blue shark, silky shark, oceanic whiteti