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Atlantic blue marlin reach sexual maturity at the age of two to four years. Males reach sexual maturity at a weight of 35–44 kg (77–97 lb) and females at 47–61 kg (104–134 lb). [26] Blue marlin breed in late summer and fall. Females may spawn as many as four times in one season.
The following is a list of species (or subspecies) in the Mariana Islands, defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List or by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), as being extinct, critically endangered, endangered, threatened, vulnerable, conservation dependent, or near threatened.
Makaira nigricans Lacepède, 1802 (Atlantic blue marlin); Makaira mazara (Jordan & Snyder, 1901) (Indo-Pacific blue marlin); Although they are traditionally listed as separate species, recent research indicates that the Atlantic blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) and Indo-Pacific blue marlin (Makaira mazara) may be parapatric populations of the same species.
Additionally 3191 fish species (21% of those evaluated) are listed as data deficient, meaning there is insufficient information for a full assessment of conservation status. As these species typically have small distributions and/or populations, they are intrinsically likely to be threatened, according to the IUCN. [ 2 ]
The blue marlin of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans are more widely pursued by sport fishermen than any other marlin species. Their wide distribution in tropical oceanic waters and seasonally into temperate zones makes them available to many anglers, and their potential to reach great sizes and spectacular fighting ability makes them a highly desired catch to some anglers.
[13] [14] Controversy exists about whether the Indo-Pacific blue marlin, Makaira mazara, is the same species as the Atlantic blue marlin, M. nigricans. FishBase follows Nakamura (1985) [ 13 ] in recognizing M. mazara as a distinct species, "chiefly because of differences in the pattern of the lateral line system".
The larger species include the Atlantic blue marlin, Makaira nigricans, which can reach 5 m (16 ft) in length and 820 kg (1,810 lb) in weight [4] and the black marlin, Istiompax indica, which can reach in excess of 5 m (16 ft) in length and 670 kg (1,480 lb) in weight.
There is a dispute based on the taxonomy of the sailfish, and either one or two species have been recognized. [3] [4] No differences have been found in mtDNA, morphometrics or meristics between the two supposed species and most authorities now only recognize a single species, Istiophorus platypterus, found in warmer oceans around the world.