Section 2. -Life Histoty. 



Life History of the Atlantic Blue Marlin, Makaira nigricans, 

 with Special Reference to Jamaican Waters 1 



DONALD P. DE SYLVA 2 



ABSTRACT 



Nomenclature and systematics of the Atlantic blue marlin are briefly reviewed. Its seasonal distribu- 

 tion in the Atlantic is analyzed from commercial and sport fish records. The spawning season in the North 

 Atlantic, which occurs from late spring through late fall, is discussed. Larvae and juveniles are not 

 common, but are easily identifiable. Spawning probably occurs far offshore, with the young developing in 

 waters of the high seas. Feeding probably occurs in the deeper strata. Tunas, frigate mackerels, and 

 cephalopods are the main food items. The growth rate has not been determined, but it is suspected that blue 

 marlin exceed 15 years. Females attain a much larger size than the males; this is attributed to differential 

 mortality. The blue marlin probably undergoes reasonably extensive migrations, and may be considered to 

 comprise populations at least in the North Atlantic and South Atlantic Oceans. The sport fishery, which is 

 extensive and expensive, and valuable economically, is thoroughly discussed. The commercial fishery for 

 the species in the Atlantic is incidental to the tuna fisheries, yet there are some indications that the blue 

 marlin is in some danger of being depleted through commercial activities. 



'This paper was presented orally, but only title and abstract 

 were submitted for publication. 



2 School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of 

 Miami. 



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