Marlin Genetics Network
{strong}Tournament sampling{/strong} - The small number of blue marlin and white marlin landed annually in some billfish tournaments along the United States’ eastern seaboard provide a unique opportunity for collecting genetics samples. These opportunities also allow the general public to see billfish up close and personal, and appreciate just how fascinating these animals really are. Photo Credit: Scott Lenox, Hooked on OC
{strong}White marlin{/strong} – White marlin are found in temperate, tropical, and sub-tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This highly migratory species puts on amazing displays when hooked, and is a favorite of sportfish anglers Atlantic-wide. Photo Credit: Ken Neill III, Healthy Grin Sportfishing
{strong}Billfish research{/strong} – A fin clip is taken from a sailfish for use in future genetic research at VIMS. This individual has also been tagged and if recaptured will provide information on the dispersal and lifespan of this species. Large-scale, angler-driven tagging efforts from agencies such as the African Billfish Foundation (Watamu, Kenya) and The Billfish Foundation (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA) have supported the scientific understanding of istiophorid billfishes. Photo Credit: Roy Bealey, African Billfish Foundation
{strong}Striped marlin{/strong} –Striped marlin are the Indo-Pacific sister species of white marlin. This striped marlin has been tagged with a conventional (‘spaghetti’) tag. Although the recapture and reporting rate for tagged istiophorid billfishes is low (less than 2% for most istiophorids), tagging efforts have provided useful information on the movements of these species. Photo Credit: Shuwari Sportfishing, Diani, Kenya
{strong}International Game Fish Association{/strong} – Several IGFA representatives all over the world are contributing samples to this research. Here, IGFA President Rob Kramer and IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser take a tissue sample from a striped marlin caught by a local fisherman in Ecuador. Participation in scientific research by organizations such as the IGFA are a big help to projects that require global sampling. Check out another research initiative from the IGFA focused on billfish tagging here: https://www.igfa.org/Conserve/IGMR.aspx Photo Credit: IGFA
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