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The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) recently announced the results of its annual IGFA Great Marlin Race, a groundbreaking initiative in billfish research. In collaboration with Dr. Barbara Block’s lab at Stanford University, this program invites recreational anglers to participate in cutting-edge research by tagging billfish with satellite devices. The annual “race” runs from October 1 to September 30, and creates a competitive component by crowning the fish that travels the farthest as the winner for that year.
The 2023-2024 IGFA Great Marlin Race saw 30 satellite tags deployed on five billfish species during 14 global tagging events. Seventeen tags surfaced during the race, revealing migration patterns that spanned a combined 80,912 nautical miles over 4,597 days. Among the tagged species were blue marlin (11), striped marlin (10), white marlin (7), black marlin (1), and Mediterranean spearfish (1).
The standout performer was a striped marlin tagged off New Zealand that made a remarkable migration across the South Pacific. Sponsored by the historic Bay of Islands Swordfish Club, the tag was deployed on January 6, 2024, by angler Oscar Avery aboard the Nammu captained by David Wooff.
Once equipped with the tag, this marlin traveled an estimated straight-line distance of an astounding 4,739 nautical miles across the Pacific Ocean, surfacing near the Galapagos Islands after 244 days at large. This journey is the longest ever recorded for a striped marlin in the IGFA Great Marlin Race, with an estimated total travel distance of 6,517 nautical miles—setting a new benchmark in the program’s history.
According to the IGFA, these findings offer critical insights into billfish migration, stock connectivity, and life history, especially the previously undocumented trans-Pacific movements of striped marlin. This data plays a vital role in shaping conservation strategies, safeguarding the future of these iconic species.
“The IGFA Great Marlin Race was established to involve the angling community in citizen science,” said IGFA President, Jason Schratwieser. “By marrying competition and conservation, we can gather data that helps ensure the survival of these magnificent species. This year’s winners exemplify the heart of this program: a deep commitment to conservation and the betterment of sport fishing.”
Launched in 2011, the IGFA Great Marlin Race has revolutionized the understanding of billfish movement and behavior. With over 600 tags deployed across the globe, it stands as the largest program of its kind.
