STOMPer Daniel urges the public not to eat marlins because of the fish's importance to the marine ecosystem.
Said the STOMPer:
"The marlin is one of the ocean’s most magnificent fish, swimming free in the deep waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans.
"They’re able to swim at extraordinary speeds and cover great distances across the earth’s oceans.
"Like lions, tigers, wolves and eagles, marlins are an important top-of-the-foodchain predator species that keep ecosystems in balance.
"Here are three reasons why you should stop eating marlins.
"1. The marlin populations throughout the world are being wiped out by commercial overfishing. Most marlin mortality is a result of incidental bycatch, in which marlins are caught by commercial fishermen targeting tuna, swordfish, and other types of fish. With millions of hooks and many miles of nets in the water, marlins don’t stand a chance.
"2. Marlin populations are not sustainable based on current demand. Unlike catfish and tilapia and other 'farm-raised' seafood, marlins can’t be farm-raised, and therefore can’t keep up with the demand.
"Besides, farming top ocean predators actually results in a net loss of available seafood because the diets required to rear carnivorous fish are comprised mostly of wild-caught fish. It would be analogous to raising lions or tigers in pens for human consumption.
"3. Marlins may be harmful to eat. Marlins and billfish often contain unhealthy levels of mercury and other toxins that may be harmful to humans who regularly eat marlins, billfish and other large fish predators."
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I'm not sure about the source of the marlin found in our markets, and I don't know how sustainable these fisheries are. But to be honest, Singapore is not a major market for marlin and other billfish, which I believe are still far more valuable to the sport fishing industry. At least there is now growing emphasis on catch and release.