Independent Research

For over a decade, William and Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) has undertaken a variety of investigations that address specific management issues of pelagic species, and has have been proactive in providing the results of their studies to management agencies at the national and international levels.

John E. Graves is the Chancellor Professor of Marine Science at VIMS. Dr Graves' pioneering research on Atlantic billfish, and his role as chair of the U.S. delegation to (ICCAT) for the past 14 years makes him, arguably, the most knowledgeable independent voice on the science and politics involved with reducing Atlantic billfish mortality.

Dr. Graves' early work on the post-release survival rates of Atlantic billfish provided valuable information that helped recreational anglers increase the survival chances for their releases and fostered the use of Circle Hooks. Later research on the use of Circle Hooks in commercial longline fishing has returned very encouraging results that may hold a critical key to reducing commercial mortalities of Atlantic billfish. We have provided links to some of Dr. Graves' work here and other pertinent pages on this site.

ATLANTIC BILLFISH RESEARCH

• Survival of white marlin released from commercial pelagic longline gear in the western North Atlantic
• Comparing J-Hooks to Circle Hooks on white marlin survival rates after recreational releases.
• Does Hook Choice Matter? Effects of Three Circle Hook Models on Postrelease Survival of White Marlin

OTHER VIMS RESOURCES

• VIMS Journal Articles: Fisheries
• Fishery Analyst Online Catch Data Maps - A remarkable visual database for catches from the Chesapeake and Mid-Atlantic inshore waters