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)