Seasonal and diel habitat use of blue marlin Makaira nigricans in the North Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

Knowledge of blue marlin, Makaira nigricans, movement patterns across a range of spatiotemporal scales is important for understanding the ecology of this epipelagic fish, informing responsible management strategies, and understanding the potential impacts of a changing ocean climate to the species. To gain insight into movement patterns, we analyzed data from 66 blue marlin satellite-tagged between 2001 and 2021 throughout the North Atlantic. We recorded migrations connecting west and east Atlantic tagging locations, as well as long-term residency within small sub-regions. Blue marlin showed a pattern of latitudinal migration, occupying lower latitudes during cooler months and higher latitudes in warmer months. Diving data indicate blue marlin primarily inhabited a shallow vertical habitat with deeper diving associated with higher sea surface temperatures and dissolved oxygen content. Consistent patterns in diel vertical habitat use support the hypothesis that these fish are visual hunters, diving deeper during the day, as well as dawn, dusk, and full moon periods. The wide-ranging movements of blue marlin indicate that traditional spatial management measures, such as static marine reserves, are unlikely to be effective in reducing the fishing mortality of this species. Longer tag deployment durations are required to delineate its annual and multi-annual migratory cycle.