A Journey in Conservation
Striped Marlin Tagged off New Zealand Wins 2025 IGFA Great Marlin Race
The International Game Fish Association (IGFA), a global leader in billfish conservation, is proud to announce the results of its annual IGFA Great Marlin Race. Taking place from October 1 to September 30 each year, the IGFA Great Marlin Race is a billfish research and conservation initiative that allows recreational anglers to become citizen scientists by deploying satellite tags on the billfish they catch, with the winning tag surfacing farthest from where it was deployed. The research program is a collaboration between the IGFA and Stanford University to collect critical data on billfish species, leading to an improved understanding of billfish behavior, movement, and how they use their open ocean habitat.
Since its launch in 2011, the IGFA Great Marlin Race has transformed the way that scientists, anglers, and policymakers understand billfish migration patterns and habitat utilization, helping secure the future of these dynamic species for generations. To date, through the race, more than 650 satellite tags have been deployed on billfish worldwide, making it the largest program of its kind.
During the 2024-2025 race, a total of 54 satellite tags were deployed during 14 global tagging events. A total of 25 blue, white and striped marlin tags surfaced during this year’s race, revealing fascinating behavioral patterns and a total estimated track distance of 42,654 nm over 2,680 days. More recently deployed tags are still at liberty around the world’s oceans and will provide data for the 2025-2026 race.
2024-2025 IGFA Great Marlin Race Winner
The IGFA is excited to declare that the winner, for the second year in a row, is a striped marlin tagged off New Zealand. The winning tag was sponsored by the New Zealand Research Foundation and the New Plymouth Sportfishing and Underwater Club. This tag was deployed on an estimated 120 kg (264 lb.) striped marlin on February 7, 2025, by Captain and tagger Barry Govier after it was caught by Phil Bell aboard the "Crusader".
This winning striped marlin tag popped up after 179 days attached to the fish on August 5, 2025, after traveling an incredible straight-line distance of 3,863 nm from the tagging location off the Taranaki Region of New Zealand. Following deployment, the marlin swam a total estimated distance of 5,771 nm as it moved toward the northeast before popping off about 360 nm south of the equator in the central Pacific.
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Team "De-bait-able's" tag, sponsored by Mike Walsh, takes Second Place
In second place is a blue marlin tagged aboard "De-bait-able", captained by KJ Zeher, during the Bermuda Triple Crown. This tag was sponsored by Mike Walsh, one of the IGFA Great Marlin Race’s top sponsors. The blue marlin was caught by Laura Russell and tagged by Cameron Walsh on July 16, 2024, popping up 180 days later on January 12, 2025. This 180-pound blue traveled a straight-line distance of 2,829 nm, with an estimated total track distance of 6,797 nm as it crossed the Atlantic from Bermuda, popping up 100 nm off the western coast of Africa’s Senegal.
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Team "Day Tripper's" tag, sponsored by Club de Yates y Pesca de Panamá, took third Place
Third place was claimed by a blue marlin tagged off Panama’s Pacific coast aboard "Day Tripper", captained by Aquilino Vallarino. This tag was sponsored by Club de Yates y Pesca de Panamá. The estimated 300-pound blue marlin was caught by Roger Kristian Kwiecinski and tagged by Eduardo De Diego. Following deployment, this fish headed west, popping up 2,763 nm away after traveling a total estimated distance of 4,755 nm after 188 days.
These extraordinary results represent more than impressive distances—they provide vital insights into billfish movements, behavior, and stock connectivity, helping to inform international management and conservation strategies. The IGFA and Stanford University make all IGFA Great Marlin Race data publicly available to the scientific community, reinforcing the program’s impact as the world’s largest citizen science billfish tracking initiative.
“Each year, the IGFA Great Marlin Race adds another layer to the global picture of billfish migration,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “The data these anglers help collect will influence how we understand and protect these species for decades to come.”
The IGFA extends heartfelt congratulations to this year’s winners and sincere gratitude to all anglers, captains, clubs, and sponsors whose support makes this groundbreaking research possible. Presented by Costa Sunglasses, the IGFA Great Marlin Race is a research collaboration between IGFA and Stanford University and is sponsored by AFTCO, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, PENN, Yamaha Rightwaters, and the Big Rock Foundation.. Their collective efforts help secure the future of billfish and the sport of game fishing for generations to come. To learn more or get involved, please visit www.igfa.org/the-great-marlin-race.
To learn how you can support this cutting-edge billfish satellite tagging initiative, please contact IGFA Conservation Director Bruce Pohlot by email at [email protected] or call 954-924-4233.