The results of the 2025 IGFA Great Marlin Race have revealed a remarkable achievement in marine migration, with a striped marlin tagged off the coast of New Zealand taking top honors for the second consecutive year. The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) launched this annual initiative, which runs from October 1 to September 30, to promote citizen science among anglers and to gather vital data about billfish movements across global waters.
In this year’s competition, a striped marlin tagged on February 7, 2025, earned first place after traveling an impressive 3,863 nautical miles in a direct line before its satellite tag surfaced on August 5, 2025. “This race provides invaluable insights into marlin migrations and highlights their expansive travel capabilities,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. The winning marlin, estimated at 120 kilograms (264 pounds), was caught by angler Phil Bell and tagged by Captain Barry Govier aboard the vessel Crusader.
The record-setting journey continued as the marlin’s tag popped off 360 nautical miles south of the equator in the central Pacific Ocean, prompting awe among researchers and participants alike. The New Zealand Research Foundation and the New Plymouth Sportfishing and Underwater Club sponsored the tag, underlining the collaborative effort driving this extraordinary program.
The second-place title was awarded to a blue marlin tagged during the esteemed Bermuda Triple Crown, aboard the vessel De-bait-able. Captain KJ Zeher oversaw the deployment of the tag, which was attached to a 180-pound blue marlin caught by angler Laura Russell, with sponsorship by Mike Walsh. This marlin’s journey was equally impressive, making a total track distance of 6,797 nautical miles before its tag surfaced near Senegal after 180 days at liberty.
“Competing in these races not only challenges us as anglers but also contributes to the broader understanding of fish behavior and conservation needs,” Zeher remarked about the experience.
The event rounded out its top three with a blue marlin tagged off Panama on the vessel Day Tripper, helmed by Captain Aquilino Vallarino. Sponsored by Club de Yates y Pesca de Panamá, this estimated 300-pound blue marlin swam a straight-line distance of 2,763 nautical miles, culminating in a total journey of about 4,755 nautical miles before its tag emerged after 188 days.
Throughout the 2024-2025 race season, the IGFA and its partners facilitated the deployment of 54 satellite tags during 14 tagging events, marking a notable increase in participation and data collection. Since its inception in 2011, the IGFA Great Marlin Race has seen over 650 tags deployed, reinforcing its reputation as the world’s largest citizen science billfish tracking initiative.
“Each year, the IGFA Great Marlin Race adds another layer to the global picture of billfish migration,” Schratwieser stated. The collaboration, which includes support from organizations such as AFTCO, Bass Pro Shops, and Yamaha Rightwaters, aims not just to celebrate marlin fishing but also to enhance scientific understanding and conservation efforts.
As this citizen science program continues to evolve, it highlights the dedication of anglers and scientists who work together to uncover the mysteries beneath the waves. For those interested in contributing to future tagging events, more information can be found at the IGFA's official website, where engagement opportunities abound for passionate fishers worldwide.
The ongoing collaboration emphasizes the importance of sustainable fishing and the preservation of billfish species, nurturing a culture of ecological responsibility among the sportfishing community. As new data emerges from future races, the potential for transformative impacts on conservation strategies remains substantial.