🚨 WHERE ARE THE MAHI? THE ALARMING DECLINE OF SOUTH ATLANTIC DOLPHINFISH

October 26, 2021 - From Islamorada to Jacksonville, Florida anglers are asking the same desperate question: “Where are the mahi?” The South Atlantic dolphinfish (mahi-mahi) fishery is experiencing a dramatic collapse, with both recreational and commercial catches plummeting. Despite overwhelming evidence and angler pleas, fishery managers are proposing woefully inadequate measures that fail to address the crisis.

📉 THE HARD DATA: A FISHERY IN FREE FALL

🎣 WHAT ANGLERS ARE SEEING

FROM ISLAMORADA TO JACKSONVILLE

• 📍 Islamorada: “The age-old tactic of leaving a hooked dolphin in the water to attract others may no longer work… if there aren’t other dolphin in the water.”
• 📍 Miami: Charter captains reporting season-long declines in catch rates
• 📍 Palm Beach: Tournament weights down significantly
• 📍 Jacksonville: Offshore fleets traveling farther for fewer fish

THE “SLAMMER” DISAPPEARANCE

Most alarming is the disappearance of large “slammer” dolphin (fish over 20 pounds):

• 🐟 Breeding stock depletion: Large fish are critical for reproduction
• 📉 Tournament impacts: Championship weights cut in half
• 💰 Economic consequences: Charter business suffering
• 🔬 Scientific concern: Loss of genetic diversity

🏭 THE COMMERCIAL PRESSURE: NO LIMITS, NO ACCOUNTABILITY

UNLIMITED COMMERCIAL HARVEST

The most shocking aspect of this crisis: Commercial boats have NO daily trip limits.

Current Commercial Regulations:

• 🚫 No daily catch limits for dolphin
• 📈 Dedicated longline fleet targeting dolphin specifically
• 📊 Growing landings despite population decline
• ⚖️ Regulatory failure: 3 attempts at limits since 2004

FAILED REGULATORY ATTEMPTS

2004: Council passed 3,000-pound trip limit → NMFS rejected (called dolphin “bycatch”)
2016: Council tried again → No action taken
2020: Council tried again → Still no limits

Former Council Member Art Sapp (2018-2021):
“We failed miserably.”

🏛️ MANAGEMENT FAILURE: THE SOUTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL’S INACTION

AMENDMENT 10: TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s response: Amendment 10

Proposed Changes:

• 🎣 Recreational vessel limit: 60 fish → 54 fish (6 fish reduction)
• 🏭 Commercial limits: NO CHANGE (still unlimited)
• 📅 Implementation: 2022 (after 4+ years of work)
• 🎯 Expected impact: Minimal to none

SCIENTIFIC CONCERNS IGNORED

Kevin Muench, PhD, Marine Fisheries:
“I have noted fish declines especially in recent years. Mahi limits need to be at most 5 per person or 30 per vessel counting anglers.”

Council’s Own Data Shows:

• 📉 Drastic declines in recreational catches
• 📊 Commercial pressure increasing
• 🎣 Angler participation skyrocketing
• 🐟 Stock indicators all pointing downward

📈 THE PERFECT STORM: MULTIPLE PRESSURES CONVERGING

1. EXPLODING RECREATIONAL PRESSURE

• 📈 Florida fishing licenses: Up 300,000 since 2018 (2,198,044 vs. 1,904,566)
• 🔄 COVID impact: More people taking up fishing
• 🚤 Boat sales: Record numbers of new offshore boats
• 🎣 Tournament growth: More events chasing fewer fish

2. COMMERCIAL INTENSIFICATION

• 🎯 Targeted longlining: No longer “bycatch” - dedicated dolphin fishery
• 📈 Technology advances: Better finding and catching efficiency
• 🌊 Expanded range: Fishing farther offshore
• 💰 Market demand: High prices driving increased effort

3. ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS

• 🌡️ Warming waters: Changing migration patterns
• 🌀 Storm frequency: Disrupting spawning aggregations
• 🌊 Current changes: Affecting larval transport
• 🔬 Unknown factors: Complex ecosystem interactions

🎯 WHAT ANGLERS ARE DEMANDING

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS NEEDED

1. 🏭 Commercial Trip Limits: 3,000-pound daily limit (as proposed in 2004)
2. 🎣 Reduced Recreational Limits: 30 fish per vessel maximum
3. 🐟 Size Protection: Minimum size limits to protect breeding stock
4. 📊 Better Data: Real-time monitoring of commercial landings
5. 🔄 Seasonal Closures: Spawning season protections

LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS

1. 🔬 Stock Assessment: Comprehensive population study
2. 🌊 Ecosystem Management: Consider mahi in broader context
3. 🤝 Stakeholder Process: Meaningful angler involvement
4. 📈 Adaptive Management: Regular adjustments based on data

🤝 S.A.F.E.‘S POSITION AND ACTIONS

OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS

• 📝 Coalition letters to South Atlantic Council and NMFS
• 🗣️ Public testimony at council meetings
• 📊 Data collection from our fishing members
• 🤝 Partnership building with other conservation groups
• 📰 Media outreach to raise public awareness

KEY PRINCIPLES

1. ⚖️ Balance: Fair allocation between sectors
2. 🔬 Science: Data-driven management decisions
3. ⏰ Urgency: Immediate action to prevent collapse
4. 🤝 Inclusion: Meaningful stakeholder participation
5. 🔄 Adaptability: Regular review and adjustment

📋 THE REGULATORY LANDSCAPE

SOUTH ATLANTIC FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

• 📍 Headquarters: Charleston, South Carolina
• 🎯 Jurisdiction: NC, SC, GA, east FL to Key West
• 🌊 Management area: 3-200 nautical miles (EEZ)
• 🐟 Species managed: Offshore fish stocks including dolphin

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS)

• 🏛️ Federal agency within NOAA
• 📜 Final approval authority for council actions
• 🔬 Scientific review of management measures
• ⚖️ Legal authority under Magnuson-Stevens Act

📄 RESOURCES AND TAKE ACTION

📧 HOW TO CONTACT DECISION-MAKERS

SOUTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL MEMBERS

• 📧 Email: info@safmc.net
• 📞 Phone: (843) 571-4366
• 📍 Address: 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, Charleston, SC 29405
• 🌐 Website: safmc.net

FLORIDA FWC COMMISSIONERS

• 📧 Public Comment: Marine@MyFWC.com
• 📞 Phone: (850) 487-0554
• 🌐 Website: MyFWC.com

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

• 📧 Southeast Region: SER.Communications@noaa.gov
• 📞 Phone: (727) 824-5301
• 🌐 Website: fisheries.noaa.gov

🎯 IMMEDIATE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE

1. SIGN THE PETITION

• 📝 Florida Sportsman petition has thousands of signatures
• 📈 Show managers the depth of public concern
• 🗳️ Every signature matters in demonstrating urgency

2. CONTACT DECISION-MAKERS

• 📧 Personalized emails are most effective
• 📞 Phone calls get attention
• 📝 Written letters still carry weight
• 🗣️ Public testimony at meetings (virtual options available)

3. SPREAD THE WORD

• 📱 Share on social media with #SaveTheMahi
• 🎣 Talk to fellow anglers about the issue
• 📰 Contact local media to cover the story
• 🏢 Engage fishing businesses in advocacy

4. PRACTICE CONSERVATION

• 🎣 Release large breeders when possible
• 📊 Report your catches to improve data
• 🌊 Follow best practices for fish handling
• 🤝 Support sustainable charter operations

💰 THE ECONOMIC STAKES

RECREATIONAL VALUE

• 💰 $7.5+ billion annual economic impact in Florida
• 👥 100,000+ jobs in fishing-related industries
• 🏆 $50+ million in tournament purses annually
• 🚤 $1+ billion in boat and equipment sales

COMMERCIAL VALUE

• 💰 $50+ million annual ex-vessel value
• 👥 5,000+ jobs in commercial sector
• 🍽️ Restaurant industry dependent on supply
• 🌊 Coastal communities economically tied to fishery

THE COST OF COLLAPSE

If the mahi fishery collapses:

• 📉 Lost tourism revenue from charter fishing
• 🚤 Devalued boats and equipment
• 🏆 Ended tournaments and events
• 👥 Lost jobs throughout supply chain
• 💰 Billions in economic damage

S.A.F.E. - South Atlantic Fishing Environmentalists
Fighting for sustainable fisheries before they collapse

Special thanks to Blair Wickstrom and Florida Sportsman for their investigative reporting that brought this crisis to light. Thanks to every angler who has spoken up, written letters, and demanded action. Your voices matter.

🚨 FINAL URGENT MESSAGE

The mahi-mahi fishery isn’t just declining—it’s crashing. And fishery managers aren’t just moving slowly—they’re proposing to do virtually nothing.

We’ve seen this movie before with other fisheries:
Denial → Delay → Decline → Collapse → Closure → Decades of Recovery

We’re at the “Delay” stage right now. Amendment 10’s pathetic 6-fish reduction is management malpractice. It’s rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic while ignoring the iceberg.

The science is clear. The data is alarming. The anglers are shouting. The solution is obvious.

Commercial trip limits. Reduced recreational catches. Protection of breeding stock. Immediate action.

This isn’t about ending fishing—it’s about saving fishing.
This isn’t about restricting access—it’s about ensuring future access.
This isn’t about choosing sides—it’s about choosing sustainability.

The mahi fishery can recover if we act now. But “now” is running out.

“When the fish are gone, the arguments about who should have caught them become academic. The only thing that matters is that no one catches them anymore.”