Making catch and release mandatory in fishing competitions is long overdue as iconic apex fish keep getting targeted, writes marine biologist Dr Nicolas Pilcher.
LAST YEAR, a 230kg Black Marlin—majestic, rare, and irreplaceable—was landed and sold for RM3,000 during the 2025 Labuan International Sea Challenge, according to the Daily Express. That’s just RM13 per kilogram. Less than the price of squid.
For marine conservationists, this wasn’t a win—it was a black day for Malaysia’s efforts to protect the oceans.
(Feature pic: Saltwater big game fishing is coming under scrutiny for unsustainable practices | Canva)
At a time when sustainability is a pillar of the National Policy on Biological Diversity (2022—2030) and central to Malaysia’s commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals—it is shocking to see events that still promote the killing of large, iconic marine species in the name of sport and prize money.
As a signatory to international agreements to protect endangered species (CITES), to promote conservation of biodiversity (CBD), and to protect sea turtles at home and across their range (IOSEA), among others, Malaysia is a willing player in the international conservation arena. But at home, when iconic species are taken irresponsibly, a different story unfolds.
And marine conservationists in Malaysia are of a strong view that removing iconic fish species for sport should be a thing of the past. There is nothing sustainable about landing an apex predator fish like this, especially when it’s no longer around to reproduce or play its role in supporting ocean ecology.
The Black Marlin (Istiompax indica) is one of the world’s largest billfish, with females reaching up to 726 kg. They are oceanic wanderers, appearing off deep coastlines in the Pacific and Indian Oceans—including, albeit rarely, in Malaysian waters.
There is no current data on their risk of extinction. This is because they are not caught with sufficient frequency to determine trends. However, their cousin, the Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans), is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, having declined by as much as 37% across its range. Black Marlin are likely on a similar trajectory, with declines driven by longline bycatch and, yes, recreational fishing.
In essence, Black Marlin are not common. They are not immediately replaceable. And they should not be just another fish to haul ashore for a trophy photo by recreational anglers—certainly not when there are options available.
Recreational fishing need not be destructive. Across the world, the angling community has embraced Catch and Release practices—not just to meet regulations, but out of responsibility.
Ethical options
Catch and Release is a practice where fish are measured, photographed, and tagged before being released back into the wild to live, spawn, and maybe fight again another day. This technique allows people to fish without depleting fish stocks.
Still, the survival of the fish depends heavily on proper handling to minimise injury and stress. To increase a fish’s chances of survival, anglers can use barbless hooks, handle the fish as little as possible, minimise the time fish are out of the water, avoid excessive struggling during the fight, and remove the hook quickly.
Once the fish is ready, anglers then release the fish to swim away on its own.
Catch and Release isn’t always perfect. It depends on how fish are handled, what gear is used, and how long fishes are exposed to air. And not everyone is a fan of releasing a fish when a photo opportunity for the winning team awaits. Nevertheless, research and innovation have made it increasingly effective and the above measures significantly improve fish survival.
In Malaysia, the Royal Pahang Billfish International Challenge sets an example for sustainable recreational fishing: all marlin and sailfish caught must be released. Any team returning with a billfish to shore is disqualified. This 2-day competition out of Kuala Rompin attracts international anglers from across the world, and all participants are required to adhere to a set of terms and conditions.
These include timing of the fishing activities, fishing procedures and equipment and, of relevance here, to Catch, Tag and Release (CTR) measures. These state that when it comes to billfish, the anglers must use a ‘Fish n Tag’ mobile application, that a marshal assigns to the participating fishing boat. The team must use the app for team score calculations, following which the fish is to be released.
Laws lagging
In contrast, the Labuan International Sea Challenge has no such requirements, and all fish are landed, irrespective of the conservation implications. Legislation governing the fisheries aspect of this competition is governed by the Fisheries Act (1985), which has yet to adopt any specific CTR measures for recreational fishing. Therefore, there are no restrictions on which fish can and cannot be landed.
However, there is a case to be made for a more sustainable approach to recreational fishing. Imagine being able to fight the fight, be recognised for the win, and save a species all at the same time? Recent communication with the Department of Fisheries Malaysia suggests that guidelines for recreational fishing might soon be introduced.
But until that happens, majestic species such as the Black Marlin don’t stand a fighting chance.
This makes the Labuan International Sea Challenge deeply problematic. Promoted by Tourism Malaysia and Labuan Tourism, and sponsored by major brands like fishing gear manufacturer DAIWA, the event is supposed to draw attention to Malaysia’s marine tourism potential.
But is glorifying the death of a rare apex predator the right kind of attention? Why would a tourist want to go diving in a place that celebrates the killing of the ocean’s icons?
It’s a fair question.
A turning point for Malaysia?
Malaysia has an opportunity to become a regional leader in sustainable sport fishing. We already have the know-how, the conservation science, and successful models like the Pahang Challenge. What we need now is the political and cultural will to stop awarding prize money for dead marlin.
A suite of marine conservation organisations in Malaysia voice their concern over this practice, including the Marine Research Foundation, Reef Check Malaysia, PULIHARA, TRACC, the Malaysian Society of Marine Sciences (MSMS), Coralku and MareCet.
They have the knowledge and the expertise to help guide sustainability processes, and to bring them to the attention of the public, so that issues such as these do not become celebrated but frowned-upon.
It was not so long ago that concern over marine plastics became mainstream in our efforts to protect sea turtles—recyclable bags, getting rid of plastic straws—thanks in no small part to Malaysian NGOs. Today, that same concern calls attention to the Black Marlin.
No one is saying fishing should end. But conservation cannot be conditional. Either we protect the ocean’s giants, or we continue to lose them for less than the price of squid.
It’s time for a shift—from exploitation to admiration, from killing to coexisting. Let’s start by rewriting the rules of our fishing tournaments, before RM13 becomes the going price for the extinction of an entire species.
Nicolas Pilcher is founder and director of the Marine Research Foundation, Malaysia’s first marine-oriented NGO. Nick has worked extensively on marine conservation projects, focusing on the ecology of endangered sea turtles, dugongs, sharks and rays, and other large charismatic marine species.
[Edited by SL Wong]
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