Blue Marlin (Kajiki) Flavor Profile
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Texture |
Blue Marlin has a mildly pronounced flavor with a very firm, almost steak-like texture. The flesh color ranges from white to pink depending upon diet, although it varies somewhat from fish to fish. Flesh with a high fat content has a natural sheen. Marlin are highly prized in Japan for sashimi. Blue Marlin (Kajiki) is served as sashimi, but Striped Marlin (Nairagi) is considered to be the best Marlin for sashimi.
Typical Cooking Methods
- Bake
- Broil
- Deep-Fry
- Grill
- Poach
- Saute
- Smoke
- Steam
- Sushi
Alternate Names
Kajiki, Sailfish, Spikefish, A`u (Hawaiian for all Marlin), Kurokajiki (Japanese)
Description (Makaira nigricans)The blue marlin is part of the billfish family and is the largest of the marlins. They commonly grow to 11 feet and are known to exceed 2,000 pounds, but average market size is 80 – 300 pounds. They are cobalt blue on top shading to silvery white on bottom, although colors can vary by region, leading to the belief that there may in fact be two distinct species – Atlantic Blue Marlin (M. nigricans) and Indo-Pacific Blue Marlin (M. mazara). The upper jaw is elongated in the form of a spear, the dorsal fin is pointed at front end with no spots, and pectoral fin and anal fin are pointed. The lateral line is reticulated (interwoven like a net), making it difficult to see in large specimens. The body of the blue marlin is covered with imbedded scales ending in one or two sharp points. |
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Blue Marlin Fresh Availability
Fresh seafood availability chart: green areas show peak availability, light green show limited availability, gray indicates not available fresh. Frozen available all year long.
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Blue Marlin Butchering Yield Percentage and Recovery
Item | To Skin/On Fillets | To Skin/Off Fillets | Notes |
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Whole Head/Off gutted | 70% | 60% | If you have additional yield info on this fish please leave a comment below. |
Top Back Loin | 92% | 85% | |
Yield % varies according to a number of factors including: size of fish, season, sex, and the skill of your fishmonger. |
Range & Habitat
AquaMaps Data sources: GBIF
Blue Marlin are native to the tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They are highly migratory and may travel thousands of miles following the warm ocean currents. They feed on mackeral, tuna and squid.
Typical Wholesale Products
Loins, Steaks
Blue Marlin Sustainability Info
Name | Alternate Names | Catch Method | Catch Region |
Seafood Watch |
Ocean Wise |
Sea Choice |
Mercury Concerns |
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Blue Marlin | Kajiki, Sailfish, A`u, Kurokajiki | Wild | Hawaii | ![]() |
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Elevated |
Blue Marlin | Kajiki, Sailfish, A`u, Kurokajiki | Wild | US Atlantic, Imported | ![]() |
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Elevated |
Disclaimer: The sustainability info above is accurate to the best of our knowledge. However, each program randomly updates their information without our knowledge. We therefore recommend that you verify the current accuracy of this information. | |||||||
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Updated August 2013 |
Sustainability concerns about Blue Marlin are two-fold. There is uncertainty about the specie’s population being able to keep pace with demand. And there is a lot of concern regarding bycatch, especially from fleets outside of the Hawaiian fishery.
Nutritional Informationbased upon a 6 oz (171 grams) raw edible serving.
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