Since monitoring cameras were installed, 20 vessels have reported returning to the sea 635 marlin, total weight around 50 tonnes. Fisheries NZ advises commercial fishers report around 75% of the marlin hooked are alive when brought to the boat. This means an estimated 25% of the marlin that are brought to the boat are dead. These 25% are the fish they want to land and sell. Currently, all marlin must be released back to the sea.

Source – Proposed amendments to commercial fishing regulations 2025. Discussion document. Fisheries NZ