Direct measurement of swimming speeds and depth of blue marlin

Acoustic telemetry was used to monitor the swimming speed, depth and water temperature of three blue marlin (60 kg, 70 kg, 125 kg) and 165 h of continuous swimming speed data containing both sustained and burst swimming events were collected. Measurements of swimming speed show that, while blue marlin are capable of high speeds, they spend most of their time swimming slowly. The fastest sustained swimming speeds (80–120 cms−1) occurred during a 4–6 h recovery period immediately after tagging when marlin consistently swim at depths greater than 50m. Short bursts of speeds up to 225 cms−1 were usually associated with changes in depth. Slower swimming (15–25 cms−1) occurred when fish were within 10 m of the surface. These velocities are similar to direct measurements of swimming speeds of free-swimming sharks, seals and sea lions, indicating that many large aquatic vertebrates swim slowly to minimize energetic costs of transport.

[1]  B. Block,et al.  Depth and temperature of the blue marlin, Makaira nigricans, observed by acoustic telemetry , 1992 .

[2]  I. Johnston,et al.  Power output and force-velocity relationship of red and white muscle fibres from the Pacific blue marlin (Makaira nigricans). , 1984, The Journal of experimental biology.

[3]  B. Block.  Endothermy in fish: thermogenesis, ecology and evolution , 1991 .

[4]  Harry L. Fierstine,et al.  Pacific Marlins: Anatomy and Physiology , 1991 .

[5]  D. Weihs,et al.  Voluntary Swimming Speeds of Two Species of Large Carcharhinid Sharks , 1981 .

[6]  R. Brock.  A Contribution to the Trophic Biology of the Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans Lacepede, 1802) in Hawaii , 1984 .

[7]  A. B. Stasko,et al.  Migratory Movements of Adult Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in Coastal British Columbia as Revealed by Ultrasonic Tracking , 1972 .

[8]  Heeny S. H. Yuen,et al.  Swimming Speeds of Yellowfin and Skipjack Tuna , 1966 .

[9]  John J. Magnuson,et al.  4 - Locomotion by Scombrid Fishes: Hydromechanics, Morphology, and Behavior , 1978 .

[10]  Ad. J. Kalmijn,et al.  Movements of blue sharks (Prionace glauca) in depth and course , 1990 .

[11]  Harry L. Fierstine,et al.  Measurements of Swimming Speeds of Yellowfin Tuna and Wahoo , 1964, Nature.

[12]  Q. Bone,et al.  The density of elasmobranchs , 1969, Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.

[13]  C. C. Lindsey.  1 - Form, Function, and Locomotory Habits in Fish , 1978 .

[14]  Paul W. Webb,et al.  Locomotion in the Biology of Large Aquatic Vertebrates , 1990 .

[15]  Roger L. Gentry,et al.  Swimming velocities in otariids , 1990 .

[16]  H. Dewar,et al.  ASPECTS OF SHARK SWIMMING PERFORMANCE DETERMINED USING A LARGE WATER TUNNEL , 1990 .

[17]  V. Walters.  BODY FORM AND SWIMMING PERFORMANCE IN THE SCOMBROID FISHES , 1962 .

[18]  J. H. Long,et al.  Backbone Mechanics of the Blue Marlin Makaira Nigricans (Pisces, Istiophoridae) , 1990 .

[19]  L. Walford,et al.  Marine Game Fishes of the Pacific Coast from Alaska to the Equator , 1937 .

[20]  D. Weihs.  Bioenergetic Considerations in Fish Migration , 1984 .

[21]  Pingguo He,et al.  The muscle twitch and the maximum swimming speed of giant bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus L. , 1989 .

[22]  F. G. Carey,et al.  Daily patterns in the activities of swordfish, Xiphias gladius, observed by acoustic telemetry , 1981 .