Market Name: Marlin
Scientific Name: Makaira nigricans; M. mazara
Common Name: Blue marlin, sailfish, spikefish, boohoo, agika prieta; Pacific blue marlin, kajiki
Flavor: Full
Texture: Firm
Description:
A giant blue marlin was the Cuban fisherman’s quarry in Ernest
Hemingway’s classic novella The Old Man and the Sea. The carcass
of Santiago’s marlin measured 18 feet in length. While blue marlins are the
largest of the marlin species and prized by anglers for their fighting nature,
the average landed size is 11 feet and from 200 to 400 pounds. Pacific blue
marlin (Makaira mazara) are generally larger than the Atlantic strain; ancient
Hawaiians feared the fierce fish, which they called kajiki, because a jab from
its heavy bill could easily sink a fishing canoe. Known as a blue-water fish,
since it spends most of its life at sea, the blue marlin is found in temperate
and tropical waters worldwide. The popular gamefish is also taken incidentally
in gillnets. In the Atlantic, U.S. commercial fishing vessels are prohibited
from possessing blue marlin, but Hawaii has a commercial longline fishery
for the species. Peak landings are from June to October.
Product Profile:
Raw marlin flesh varies but is generally a light golden-orange when raw. It turns off-white when cooked, somewhat lighter than swordfish.
Marlin has a firm, meaty texture, similar to that of swordfish, and a rich, full flavor. There’s a lot of tough, stringy connective tissue between the muscle layers in large marlin (150 pounds-plus), which can be avoided by buying smaller fish.
You Should Know:
Fresh domestic marlin is generally more expensive than imported product, reflecting higher quality due to shorter trip times and better handling.
Cooking Tips:
Marlin steaks are ideal for simple, high-heat cooking methods like grilling or broiling. The rich taste can be savored with plain seasonings like salt and pepper or a squeeze of lime, and it also holds its own with more boldly flavored sauces, salsas or pungent herbs. Raw, top-quality marlin can be used for sashimi or seviche.
Cooking Methods: Bake,Broil,Grill
Substitutions: Tuna, Swordfish
Primary Product Forms:
Fresh: H&G, Loins, skin on or off, Fillets, skin on or off, Steaks
Frozen: Fillets, Loins
Value-Added:
Global Supply:
