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Seafood Watch - Seafood Guide

Marlin, Blue

SEAFOOD	RATING	MARKET NAMES	WHERE CAUGHT	HOW CAUGHT
Blue Marlin		A’u, Kajiki	Hawaii	Wild-caught
Blue Marlin		A’u, Kajiki	Imported	Wild-caught
Striped Marlin		A’u, Nairagi	Worldwide	Wild-caught

Marlin, Blue, Striped

Striped marlin has dramatically declined in the Pacific Ocean. There's uncertainty about the health and abundance of blue marlin populations; however, Seafood Watch recommends blue marlin from Hawaii as a "Good Alternative", due to minimal bycatch by the U.S. fleet.

Consumer Note

When purchasing blue marlin, be sure that it was caught in the Hawaiian fishery.

Health Alert

Environmental Defense Fund has issued a health advisory for blue and striped marlin due to high levels of mercury.

Summary

Blue and striped marlin are open ocean species found throughout much of the world’s temperate and tropical oceans. Limited and uncertain information on the blue marlin population in the Pacific makes assessment difficult, but we do know with that striped marlin in the Pacific are being fished faster than the population can reproduce.

The blue and striped marlin found in Hawaiian markets are mostly accidental bycatch

in the tuna longline fisheries. There is considerable concern about bycatch from longlining. However, fishery managers and fishermen in the U.S. fleet have made great strides in reducing bycatch in recent years through changes in regulations and modifications to fishing gear.

All striped marlin is ranked as "Avoid" due to severe population declines. While blue marlin caught by the Hawaiian fleet is still recommended as a "Good Alternative," consumers should note that illegally caught marlin from the Atlantic Ocean is available on the U.S. market and is ranked as "Avoid."

Scientific Reports About Our Ratings

Hawaiian Blue and Striped Marlin Seafood Watch Report
Longlining Fact Card

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