The electronic tag, was deployed on the marlin on August 8, 2011, off the Big Island. Stanford University marine biologists report that the tag was released from the marlin after 121 days, at a distance of 2,188 nautical miles from where it was tagged, south of the equator and about 700 miles east-northeast of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia.
“I am amazed at how quickly blue marlin travel the surface waters connecting the two hemispheres,” said Stanford University professor of marine sciences Barbara Block. “These are oceanic travelers who are using international waters, crossing many national boundaries quickly.”
Of the 10 tags deployed as part of this event, 6 ultimately surfaced — all of them southeast of the Hawaiian Islands. In the 2010 race all but one of the marlin traveled mostly east from Hawaii, and no tags reported from the Southern Hemisphere.
“The variability in these tracks illustrates the importance of gathering data over several years to understand the broad migration patterns of these fish,” said Stanford University marine biologist Randy Kochevar.
The Great Marlin Race concept was initially developed in 2009 to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament (HIBT).
Over the first three years of the HIBT event, a total of 30 Pacific blue marlin have been tagged with electronic tags, and have produced 1,682 days of tracking data, with total point-to-point distances totaling more than 22,500 nautical miles. West Marine supports this effort as part of its ongoing ocean sustainability and conservation efforts.
West Marine, retailer of boating supplies and accessories, is also searching for Hawaii marine-based non-profits to be the beneficiaries of the “Cruising for a Cause” charity celebration. Set for Thursday, March 22nd from 6:00 — 9:00 pm, the event will be held at the newest Honolulu flagship location at 420 N. Nimitz Highway. “Cruising for a Cause” earns money for local charities by offering 100% of ticket proceeds for the event.
For full details on how to apply to be a beneficiary of “Cruising for a Cause” send an inquiry via e-mail to grantsandsponsorships@westmarine.com. Any non-profit chosen for the Hawaii celebration must have a 501c3 status with the Internal Revenue Service or be a youth boating program.
See the original article at: KHON2 Developing Stories
