Fish
White Marlin
Kajikia albida · also called white marlins
Hook a white marlin and the fight rarely stays underwater for long, the fish repeatedly launching itself clear of the surface in a dramatic aerial display that has made it a favourite among recreational anglers, even as its smaller build sets it apart from bulkier marlin relatives.
Overview
The white marlin, Kajikia albida, is a fast, slender billfish found in warm and temperate waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It undertakes substantial seasonal migrations and is known for its acrobatic, leaping fight once hooked.
A fight worth releasing
Given the species’ declining status, growing numbers of anglers now practise catch-and-release specifically with white marlin, preserving the chance to experience its famous leaping fight while easing the fishing pressure contributing to its population decline.
Status
Vulnerable — declining in parts of the Atlantic from targeted fishing and bycatch, with catch-and-release practices increasingly emphasised.
White Marlin: common questions
How is the white marlin different from other marlin species?
The white marlin is generally smaller and more slender than several other marlin species, such as the blue marlin or black marlin, and it has a distinctively rounded dorsal fin shape rather than the more pointed dorsal fin seen in some relatives, features that together help distinguish it from similarly sized billfish.
Why do white marlin leap out of the water when hooked?
A white marlin is particularly known for acrobatic fighting behaviour once hooked, frequently leaping clear of the water multiple times during a fight, a dramatic and energetic response that has made the species a popular and exciting target for recreational sport anglers specifically because of this behaviour.
Why is catch-and-release fishing encouraged for white marlin?
White marlin populations have declined in parts of the Atlantic due to a combination of targeted fishing and incidental bycatch, so increasing emphasis on catch-and-release recreational fishing practices allows anglers to still enjoy the species' famously acrobatic fight while reducing overall fishing mortality and supporting population recovery.
Where do white marlin travel throughout the year?
White marlin undertake substantial migrations across the Atlantic Ocean, moving between different regions seasonally in search of favourable water temperatures and reliable prey availability, a pattern of movement that spans a considerable portion of the ocean over the course of a year.