Trolling
Beginning - Description
Prior to 1996 the pelagic fishery was largely a troll-based fishery. The troll based pelagic fishery in American Samoa has historically been an important component of the traditional domestic fisheries.
 |
| Handline Trolling from an alia (Click on picture for a larger picture) |
During 1996 the majority of trolling fishermen converted their alias to longlining with some of them admitting to trolling every now and then. Consequently, the fishery has experienced a decline in its catch and effort, especially since the ones who converted to longlining were the commercial trollers.
 |
| Dos Gris - A typical trolling pleasure boat (Click on picture for a larger picture) |
In 1996, 7 of the 35 trolling vessels were 25-40 feet long pleasure boats fishing for recreation. These fishers usually go out during the weekends, on holidays or compete in tournaments, and rarely, sell their catch. These fishing trips average about 5 hours, which is shorter than previous years.
Monitoring System
The fishery was first monitored in the mid 1970s and has operated on a similar small scale since that time. From 1982 to October 1985, only commercial landings were monitored. From October 1985 to the present, data are collected through an Offshore Creel Survey that includes subsistence and recreational fishing as well as commercial fishing.
Monitoring System Results
Yellowfin and skipjack tuna have always been the major trolling landings. In 1986 when trolling was the only pelagic fishing method there were 53 boats landing 137,100 pounds of skipjack tuna and 54,622 pounds of yellowfin tuna by trolling.
In 1996 when longlining was just getting started, these two species comprised 75% of the trolling landings with 35 boats landing 56,562 pounds of skipjack and 36,551 pounds of yellowfin tuna. Mahimahi, blue marlin and wahoo made up a significant proportion of the other 25% of the catch.
In 2001 with longlining the dominant fishing method in Amercan Samoa only 18 boats landed 15,126 pounds of skipjack and 5,513 pounds of yellowfin tuna by trolling.