One of the most magnificent fish in the Atlantic Ocean is the Blue Marlin. The blue marlin grows massive in size. Without question, the marlin is the largest gamefish in the Atlantic which is why they are highly sought after by anglers. In combination with size, the fish performs spectacular leaps when hooked by rod and reel. I have seen this first hand and can tell you that it is a sight to be seen. However, can you eat blue marlin? The answer is yes, but here is what you should know about eating blue marlin. 

Taste And Texture Of Blue Marlin

Without a doubt, the blue marlin yields a significant amount of fillets because of the size of the fish. Additionally, the cuts are thick as they are a very wide bodied fish. The combination of the size and thickness means that the portions of cleaned marlin are offered as steaks. 

In addition to the size, the color of the flesh varies. Unquestionably, the diet impacts the color of the flesh, that ranges from white to pink. For the most part, I have eaten marlin with a white hue compared to pink. 

Beyond the size of the cuts and color is the taste. Most would compare the taste to that of the swordfish. However, I find the taste to be more gamier. The marlin has a distinct taste that is more powerful than a swordfish. For this reason, some people are turned off, but I enjoy the flavoring. 

Lastly, blue marlin filets are incredibly firm. In fact, most would compare the firmness to that of a steak. The firmness is largely in part to the sheer strength of the fish. Marlin are incredibly powerful therefore, the skeletal muscles are strong and dense.

Can Blue Marlin Be Eaten As Sushi

The flesh of a blue marlin is highly regarded as sushi. For this reason, blue marlin is available fresh from fish markets and found in some sushi restaurants across the country. 

The blue marlin flesh is suitable as sushi because it contains a high fat content. As far as preparation is concerned, the filets are sliced thin and eaten raw or placed on top of a bed of sushi rice. To clarify, sashimi is served without rice, while sushi is served with rice. 

In addition to sushi and sashimi, there is poke. Poke is a combination of marlin, onions, scallions, seaweed, and sesame oil. The ingredients are mixed together to form a flavorful combination. 

So, can you eat blue marlin? Yes, absolutely, it can be eaten raw or cooked.

Where Can You Buy Blue Marlin

I have fished ocean waters for years on end and only stumbled across a couple of marlins. For this reason, anglers often fail to encounter tangling with a marlin in a lifetime. 

In addition to the difficulty of finding a blue marlin in the ocean is the challenge of reeling the fish to the boat. 

Now with all this being said, it is illegal to sell billfish, including the marlin, in the continental United States since 2018. However, one exception applies. Hawaiian island anglers are legally allowed to commercially fish for marlin and sell the fillets. With that being said, the fillets cannot be transported to the mainland of the United States. 

Furthermore, marlin cannot be imported into the United States from other countries. The United States, before the ban, was the largest consumer of marlin in the world. 

If you’re set on getting a taste of blue marlin, you’ll need to get on a plane and head to Hawaii, where it is served in restaurants and in fish markets. In fact, I have seen marlin on sale for as low as 10 dollars a pound. 

Considering I have never personally landed a blue marlin, I had the opportunity to buy it on several occasions. Of course, I was able to buy the fish before the ban when the marlin was widely distributed in the United States. 

With all this being said, you’ll either need to travel to Hawaii or catch a marlin where it can be legally harvested. 

Why Is The Sale Of Billfish Prohibited In The United States

The sale of billfish, including the blue marlin, is prohibited in the United States because of the dwindling population. Without a doubt the marlin is the greatest gamefish in the world, and therefore anglers seek the opportunity to hook and battle the beast. 

With that being said, economically, billfishing is significant in generating revenue. I personally would rather have the opportunity to catch and release a marlin compared to the alternative, and that is extinction. 

The Catch To Can You Eat Blue Marlin?

To sum things up, yes, you can eat blue marlin. Furthermore, the fillets are excellent when served cooked or raw. However, you are not going to have the opportunity to buy marlin from a market or online unless you live in or are visiting Hawaii. Thankfully the billfish law is in place to protect the spectacular gamefish.