 Between 2006-2007, there was a 60% decrease in the numbers of flying fish taken from Taiwanese fisheries, leading to concern from the indigenous people about the long-term viability of the flying fish stock.As an important prey item of dolphinfish, the sailfin flying fish and other species of flying fish play an important ecological role in maintaining dolphinfish fisheries.Because of high populations in the eastern Caribbean, some scientists have suggested investigating the feasibility of commercial "P. brachypterus" fishing in the region.