Big black marlin

catch in Vanuatu

When three men from Akhamb in Malakula and an expatriate decided to tow a line behind the new fishing boat which they were delivering from Santo for the Akhamb Fisheries Project, Henry Santali did not dream of making the biggest recorded catch in Vanuatu’s history that day a 321-kilo black marlin!

He did.

Officials from Natai Fish Mar ket in the capital and the Department of Fisheries said the giant 6.5 metre long much searched-for ocean big game fish was the biggest on record, and could also be one of the biggest black marlin ever caught in the Pacific and beyond.

Once floated ashore it could not be lifted. A tractor was used to move it.

A fish expert from Natai Fish Market said it was sold to a plantation management in Malakula for a sum of 26,000 VT but that, if it were properly processed, it would be worth 720,000 VT.

Said a Department of Fisher ies spokesman; “We feel it is very good publicity for Vanuatu abroad for international big game fishing enthusiasts to be aware of what we can offer in terms of big game fishing in our waters”.

He said once they know Vanuatu waters have this kind of fish, international big game

fishing competitors with cash will be attracted to Vanuatu.

Also it will promote Vanuatu’s name overseas.

Locally it was a grand take off point for the Akhamb Fisheries Project. After landing the giant marlin in its new boat, the project was announced “open” to begin its fishing activities.

The fishing boat was built by Merelava boat builder, Ross Render, in his boat-yard in Luganville. Vanuatu Weekly Hebdomadaire.

Just for interest’s sake we con sulted our library’s 1984 Guin ness Book of Records (some one’s temporarily “borrowed” the later ones) about record black marlin catches.

While we readily concede that Vanuatu’s 321-kg speci men is one hell of a fish, we regret to report that the world record black marlin catch up to 1984 was well over twice that weight: 707.61 kg to be precise.

Other categories listed by Guinness include: Blue marlin (Atlantic) 581.51 kg, (Pacific) 624.14 kg. Striped marlin 206.50 kg.

Still, we heartily share the hope of the Vanuatu fisheries spokesman that news of the latest catch will spark the in terest of big-game fishing en thusiasts we think they’ve all got cash and encourage them to visit this fascinating country Editor.