ACTIVITY OF THE SPANISH SURFACE LONGLINE FLEET CATCHING SWORDFISH (XIPHIAS GLADIUS) IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN IN 2005

SUMMARY This paper presents data on catches, nominal effort and nominal catch rates in 5x5 degree square formats of the activity of the Spanish surface longline fleet targeting swordfish (Xiphias gladius) carried out in 2005 in waters of the Atlantic (including the Mediterranean areas), Indian and Pacific Ocean. Graphics and a descriptive summary are also provided. The nominal catch in round weight of swordfish taken in the ICCAT convention area by Spanish surface longliners during 2005 was 10.913 tons in the Atlantic Ocean and 760 tons in the Mediterranean. Nominal catches in the Indian and Pacific Oceans were 5.079 and 6.212 tons, respectively. Additionally, data on nominal catch rates of swordfish for the Atlantic areas are updated for the period 1986-2005. RESUME