Review of the statistical data available for Indian Ocean billfish (1950-2025)

This paper reviews the fisheries, catch, and size data available for the five billfish species under the IOTC mandate, together with available information for shortbill spearfish, for the period 1950-2025. Total reported billfish catches have increased substantially over time, reaching a record level in 2025, largely due to recent reporting of catches from Somalia. The composition of billfish fisheries has changed markedly, with declining contributions from high-seas longline fisheries and increasing contributions from gillnet and coastal line fisheries, which now account for the majority of reported catches. Recent data submissions and revisions since WPB23 have improved the completeness of catch statistics and updated the catch series used for stock assessment, particularly for swordfish. The review also evaluates catches of species subject to Resolution 18/05 and indicates that reported catches of black marlin, striped marlin, and Indo-Pacific sailfish have exceeded their established catch limits for more than two consecutive years, while blue marlin catches exceeded the adopted catch limit in 2025. Particular emphasis is placed on recent submissions and revisions received since WPB23, current fishery characteristics, and the availability of fishery-dependent and biological data for billfish species in the Indian Ocean

Rev1 includes improvements to the size-frequency data section.