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“The marlin’s bill is a blueprint of evolution, a finely tuned extension

of its will, speed, and precision. Without it, is just doesn’t look right.”

- Dr. Kelsey James | MARINE BIOLOGIST, NOAA

over time. This suggests limited bone remodel- ing its bill to original length or structure.
ented behavior helps them compensate for their sparse, but anecdotal evidence from long-term
ing is possible, particularly in younger fish with
reduced hunting success. tag-and-release programs and underwater pho-
more regenerative potential. However, there is It’s believed that younger marlin may exhibit
tography is building a clearer picture. In multiple
no confirmed evidence of a marlin fully regrow- greater regenerative ability due to faster cellu-
Scientific data on marlin with broken bills is studies, marlin with deformed or absent bills have

“Adaption plays a huge role in a marlins’
been recaptured months or even years after their though not full regrowth.
initial tag, having grown and migrated thousands
of miles. One of the biggest questions regarding broken ablity to survive when they have a broken
bills is, “do the bills ever grow back?”
Sport fishers off Costa Rica, Hawaii, and Australia bill. It shows they have the ability to learn
have documented marlin with partial bills actively The answer is: The science to date states partial-
feeding and evading capture with the same te- ly, but not completely. Reporting through tagged
nacity as their fully equipped counterparts. Some fish and photographic evidence of prior caught how to hunt and survive all over again.”
broken bills even appear to regenerate slightly at marlin, bills do appear to regrown slightly, show-
the edges, showing signs of bone remodeling— ing that they become more rounded or smoothed
- Dr. Kelsey James | MARINE BIOLOGIST, NOAA

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