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Billfish species (families Istiophoridae and Xiphiidae) are caught in artisanal, recreational, and commercial fisheries throughout the Western Indian Ocean region. However, data and information on the interactions among these fisheries and the ecology of billfish in the WIO are not well understood. Using an in-depth analysis of peer-reviewed articles, grey literature, observation studies, and authors' insider knowledge, we summarize the current state of knowledge on billfish fisheries in 10 countries. To describe historical and current trends, we examined fisheries statistics from governmental and non-governmental agencies, sportfishing clubs' reports, diaries of sportfishing captains, and the catch and effort databases of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission. We highlight two key points. First, billfish fisheries in the Western Indian Ocean are highly diverse, comprising two distinct segments-coastal and oceanic. However, data are poor for most countries with significant gaps in information especially for sport and artisanal fisheries. Second, the evidence assembled showed that billfish species have immense social, cultural, and economic value. Swordfish are targeted by both large-scale and semi-industrial fisheries, while other billfish species, particularly marlin, are highly sought after by sport fisheries in most countries. Our paper provides a comprehensive review of billfish fisheries and available information in the context of the WIO underscoring the need to strengthen data collection and reporting, citizen science, and collaborative sustainable development and management of billfish.

DALIN Leads Across Cape LEEUWIN then hits 24kts, Three leaders pass within 3 hours and 20 minutes. PEYRON Pays Tributes to JOSCHKE, LE CAM, SEGUIN, Redress for HERMANN, LE CAM, BESTAVEN to be published Wednesday.

Following a violent collision last Wednesday evening, British Vendee Globe skipper Sam DAVIES (Initiatives-Cœur) sustained significant damage to the framework supporting the keel of her IMOCA. In consultation with her team, she made the decision to stop in Cape Town (South Africa).This morning as she arrived in Cape Town she confirmed by video at 0900hrs UTC that she is officially retiring from the race. But she says she is determined to return - after making repairs with her team and experts - to complete the race course as 'hors course', unclassified on the solo race which forbids any kind of outside assistance.

In the teeth of the biggest depression seen during this Vendée Globe race leader Charlie DALIN has had a tough night but reported briefly to his team that all is well on board Apivia. In a few more hours he should be through the worst of the storm which was forecasted to bring 45 knot mean windspeeds and 50-55kts in the gusts.

Worst Of The Storm Passed for RUYANT and DALIN, Golden Ticket for Armel TRIPON. BEYOU Making Inroads. For the meantime the worst of the Indian Ocean is behind them and Vendée Globe leaders Charlie DALIN and Thomas RUYANT can contemplate a relatively smooth ride to Australia's Cape LEEUWIN, now 1250 nautical miles, or about three days, ahead of DALIN.

Late Thursday Manuel COUSIN noticed a major crack at the top of his port rudder. He immediately informed his team and Race Direction, that he was going to have to make repairs.

With no working computers Fabrice AMEDEO Abandons, DALIN's margin is halved, MERRON, SHIRAISHI Cross Good Hope.

The team at ARKEA PAPREC and French skipper Sébastien SIMON have confirmed he has abandoned his Vendée Globe. Last Wednesday morning at 0820hrs UTC his IMOCA hit a floating object and badly damaged his starboard foil and its housing. The boat has had a steady ingress of water which SIMON has largely dealt with. But with repairs seeming to be extremely complicated and probably requiring the foil to be cut into pieces, Simon and his team made the tough decision that he will give up. SIMON is on his way to Cape Town. He should reach the South African bay overnight from Saturday to Sunday.

Having struck something in the water last night Sam DAVIES this morning is heading out of the worst of the weather and the sea state to further assess the damage to Initiatives Coeur. She spoke to Vendee Globe HQ this morning.

British skipper Sam DAVIES informed her team that her IMOCA Initiatives Coeur had struck a floating object at around 1900hrs UTC this evening. She is heading north at reduced speed and will inspect her boat to assess the damage and discuss actions with her team. Sam DAVIES is unhurt.

Alex THOMSON arrived in Cape Town, South Africa this morning and officially notified Race Direction of his abandon from the Vendee Globe. He took nearly one week for him to sail HUGO BOSS the 1800 miles to the South African haven. Thomson suffered irrepairable rudder damage which left him with no alternative but to retire.

Surfing geologist applies science to shark risk.

The number of Vendee Globe skippers now in the Indian Ocean grew to nine overnight as French sailors Thomas RUYANT and Jean LE CAM passed the Cape of Good Hope. Race first-timer RUYANT, skipper of Le Souffle du Nord pour le Projet Imagine, and veteran LE CAM on Finistère Mer Vent, were just under four hours apart from one another passing the magical longitude of 018°29.85'E.

The three skippers in the Vendee Globe solo round the world race who are having to avoid the worst of the violent Southern Ocean storm all are deploying different strategies. Two, Jean LE CAM in eighth and seventh placed Jean-Pierre DICK are headed in different directions as they outrun the worst of the winds nearest the centre of the low, while Yann ELIES in sixth has hove to and slowed right down - to just two or three knots at times - to hold a position which should ensure the strongest winds pass to his north.

Persistent light winds in the middle of the Pacific, nearly half way between New Zealand and Cape Horn means the chasing pack, led by rookie Paul MEILHAT (SMA), are slashing their distance to the two Vendée Globe leaders Alex THOMSON (Hugo BOSS) and Armel LE CLEAC'H (Banque Populaire VIII).

This afternoon at 0330hrs UTC and whilst TechnoFirst-faceOcean was sailing in a strong 30 knots of wind with three reefs in the mainsail and the J3, with her skipper inside, a rogue wave put the boat on her side, mast in the water.

Ben GERRING, a 29-year-old mine worker, was surfing at Falcon Beach south of Perth when he was mauled by a shark and has reportedly lost a leg.

Ben GERRING, a 29-year-old mine worker, was surfing at Falcon Beach south of Perth when he was mauled by a shark and has reportedly lost a leg.

The public closure of a beloved surfing site has sparked unease in the Maldivian capital.

The public closure of a beloved surfing site has sparked unease in the Maldivian capital.

Did Kelly SLATER Really Just Suggest Shark Culling?

Australian surfer in bloody shark attack.