We analyzed temporal and spatial catch per unit effort (CPUE) of dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus)
along the U.S. east coast using pelagic longline logbook data (1999–2007). A zero-inflated negative binomial
model was fit using a variety of oceanographic variables to better understand distribution and
abundance. The two most important dynamic oceanographic variables were sea surface temperature
and chlorophyll-a concentration. We also used catch and release locations of dolphinfish caught by
recreational fishermen (2002–2007) to compare conditions between datasets and for model evaluation.
Dolphinfish CPUE was highest at 22–25 ◦C with a peak at 24 ◦C for the longline dataset, while recreational
dolphinfish were caught in waters >19 ◦C with peak catches occurring at 27 ◦C. Dolphinfish CPUE was
highest when chlorophyll-a concentration was