Pacific Blue Marlin
Makaira nigricans
Also known as A‘u, Kajiki, Aguja azul
Culinary Profile
Rich, full flavor.
Firm and meaty, similar to swordfish.
Blue marlin is low in saturated fat and sodium, and is a good source of vitamin B12, vitamin B6, selenium, niacin, and protein.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Blue marlin are deep cobalt blue on top and silvery white on the bottom. They have a pronounced dorsal fin and a long, spear-shaped upper jaw (bill).
Biology
Blue marlin may grow to be more than 12 feet long and may weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Female blue marlin grow larger than males and may live 20 years. Male blue marlin reach 7 feet in length and may live up to 10 years. They grow fast and may reach 3 to 6 feet in the first 1 to 2 years of life. Males mature around 2 years old, and females mature between 3 to 4 years old. Blue marlin spawn between May and September.
Where They Live
Range Blue marlin live throughout tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. Habitat Blue marlin prefer warm surface waters that are well mixed by surface winds and are uniform in temperature and salinity. They are considered the most tropical of all billfishes. They spend all of their time in the water column, frequently moving between the surface and a depth of 100 meters.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
From June through October.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from waters around Hawaii, other U.S. Pacific Islands, and the high seas.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: Marlin are primarily caught incidentally in pelagic longline commercial fisheries for tuna and swordfish. They are also a popular target fish for recreational fishermen. In 2020, commercial landings of Pacific blue marlin from the waters around Hawaii totaled 900,000 pounds and were valued at $1.1 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . The Billfish Conservation Act , along with existing billfish regulations, prohibits the sale and commercial possession of billfish and billfish products. However, those that are caught in Hawaii and the Pacific Insular Areas (which includes American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands) are exempt and can be sold. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: U.S.
Similar by Flavour: Other Rich-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the rich flavour profile of Pacific Blue Marlin, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Almaco jack has a clean, sweet, rich, slightly nutty, buttery flavor.
Atlantic Chub Mackerel
Scomber colias
Rich, pronounced flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Salmon
Salmo salar
Buttery, rich taste.
Atlantic Sea Scallop
Placopecten magellanicus
Sea scallops have a sweet, rich taste that can be mild or briny.
Bluefish
Pomatomus saltatrix
Rich, full flavor. The larger the fish, the more pronounced the taste. A strong-flavored, dark strip of meat on the fillet may be removed be…
Seasonal Alternatives · June–October
When fresh Pacific Blue Marlin is at its peak, these species are also in season — menu-planning options with overlapping windows.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Fresh from January to April and June to October. Frozen year-round.
Brown Rock Shrimp
Sicyonia brevirostris
Year-round with peaks from July through October.
North Atlantic Swordfish
Xiphias gladius
Year-round, with peaks from June through October.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pacific Blue Marlin found?
Range Blue marlin live throughout tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. Habitat Blue marlin prefer warm surface waters that are well mixed by surface winds and are uniform in temperature and salinity. They are considered the most tropical of all billfishes.
How does Pacific Blue Marlin reproduce?
Blue marlin may grow to be more than 12 feet long and may weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Female blue marlin grow larger than males and may live 20 years. Male blue marlin reach 7 feet in length and may live up to 10 years. They grow fast and may reach 3 to 6 feet in the first 1 to 2 years of life. Males mature around 2 years old, and females mature between 3 to 4 years old.
Where in the water column does Pacific Blue Marlin live?
Range Blue marlin live throughout tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. Habitat Blue marlin prefer warm surface waters that are well mixed by surface winds and are uniform in temperature and salinity. They are considered the most tropical of all billfishes.
How much Pacific Blue Marlin is caught commercially?
Commercial fishery: Marlin are primarily caught incidentally in pelagic longline commercial fisheries for tuna and swordfish. They are also a popular target fish for recreational fishermen. In 2020, commercial landings of Pacific blue marlin from the waters around Hawaii totaled 900,000 pounds and were valued at $1.1 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database .
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught Pacific blue marlin is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
According to the 2021 stock assessment, Pacific blue marlin is not overfished and not subject to overfishing. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART . Population assessments for Pacific blue marlin are conducted by the Billfish Working Group , a division of the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-Like Species in the North Pacific Ocean…
Population
The stock is not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Gear used to harvest blue marlin rarely contacts the ocean floor, so habitat impacts are minimal.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch in the tuna and swordfish fisheries, which incidentally catch the most commercially available blue marlin.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council manage the Pacific blue marlin fishery. Managed under the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pacific Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region : Entry to this fishery is limited to a maximum of 164 vessels. Permits and logbooks are required. Observers are required on all Hawaii-based longline vessels.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 6 values
Nutrient Facts (NOAA)
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.