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Marlin

Quality mark Cultivation
/Keurmerk Wild
Green
Second choice
Avoid
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General

Mackerel-like fish

Mackerel-like (Scrombodei) from a subspecies of the Perciformes, the biggest order of fish. Mackerel (Atlantic-, horse mackerel etc), tuna, swordfish and barracudas all fall among the mackerel-like fish. Globally it is a very popular fish and forms an important source of food and income for many people. Mackerel are pelagic fish that live in large schools. While swimming in large schools, mackerel-like fish confuse their predators with the silver-like brilliance from their scales. Island mackerel is the smallest with 2o cm, the largest is the bluefin tuna that can reach a size of over 5 meters.

Marlin

There are several species of marlin, which all belong to the sailfish family. The largest species can reach up to 5 m in length and can weigh up to more than 800 kilograms. These species have elongated bodies with a large dorsal fin, which is shaped like a crescent moon, and a spear-like snout. Marlins are fast hunters and can reach swimming speeds of up to 90 km/hr. Marlins ca be found in sub-tropical waters in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans at depths of up to 915 metres.  

 

Marlin

Makaira spp., Tetrapturus sp., Istiompax sp.
Origin

Pacific Ocean, central east (FAO 77)
Deelgebieden: Pacific Ocean, north-east

Farming- / Catch method

Handlines and pole-lines

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Fish stocks and fishing pressure
Ecosystem effects
Fishery management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

Marlins are popular with sport fishermen and favoured in the commercial fishery, for example for sashimi and sushi. They grow reasonably fast, but the little data that there are show that they are mostly overfishedOverfished:
A stock is overfished when the stock size has decreased so far that it can no longer produce a maximum sustainable yield. The size of the fish populations is insufficient to reproduce in the long term. 
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When marlins are caught with fishing rods, the advantage is that undesired bycatch can be released back into the sea alive. Next to that they also don’t cause damage to the seabed.

Because marlins migrate far, international agreements for good management are necessary. The management of marlin is currently in hands of international tuna management commissions because there is much bycatch of marlin in the tuna fishery. In many areas catch data of marlin are missing and the management is not effective.

Marlin

Makaira spp., Tetrapturus sp., Istiompax sp.
Origin

Atlantic Ocean, south-east (FAO 47)
Deelgebieden: Atlantic Ocean

Farming- / Catch method

Purse seines

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Fish stocks and fishing pressure
Ecosystem effects
Fishery management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

Marlins are popular with sport fishermen and favoured in the commercial fishery, for example for sashimi and sushi. They grow reasonably fast, but the little data that there are show that they are mostly overfishedOverfished:
A stock is overfished when the stock size has decreased so far that it can no longer produce a maximum sustainable yield. The size of the fish populations is insufficient to reproduce in the long term. 
.

The [purse seine] fishery on marlin has often much bycatch of other species like sea turtles, sharks and albatrosses.

Because marlins migrate far, international agreements for good management are necessary. The management of marlin is currently in hands of international tuna management commissions because there is much bycatch of marlin in the tuna fishery. In many areas catch data of marlin are missing and the management is not effective.

 

Marlin

Makaira spp., Tetrapturus sp., Istiompax sp.
Origin

Atlantic Ocean, south-east (FAO 47)
Deelgebieden: Atlantic Ocean, north-west

Farming- / Catch method

Pelagic longlines

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  • Nov
  • Dec
Fish stocks and fishing pressure
Ecosystem effects
Fishery management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

Marlins are popular with sport fishermen and favoured in the commercial fishery, for example for sashimi and sushi. They grow reasonably fast, but the little data that there are show that they are mostly overfishedOverfished:
A stock is overfished when the stock size has decreased so far that it can no longer produce a maximum sustainable yield. The size of the fish populations is insufficient to reproduce in the long term. 
.

The longlineLongline:
Also known as line fishing. A fishing method in which lines and hooks are used.
fishery on marlin has often much bycatch of other species like sea turtles, sharks and albatrosses.

Because marlins migrate far, international agreements for good management are necessary. The management of marlin is currently in hands of international tuna management commissions because there is much bycatch of marlin in the tuna fishery. In many areas catch data of marlin are missing and the management is not effective.

 

ASC label

Fish with the ASC label is farmed in a sustainable manner.

MSC label

Fish with the MSC label is caught sustainably.

Good fish

This fish is not being overfished or is being responsibly farmed, with minimal impact on the environment.

Second choice

This fish is a second choice. There are still some improvements to be made in this fishery or fish farm.

Avoid

Do not buy this fish. It's being overfished or the way it's farmed or caught has a negative impact on the environment.

Welfare

There is fish available of this species that is farmed or caught using high welfare standards.

GlobalG.A.P.

GlobalG.A.P. certified farms are doing a step in the right direction in terms of sustainability. A few species with this label are getting a better score on the VISwijzer.

Organic

Organic standards are the strictest when it comes to fish feed. They also require certain measures for animal well-being.