A Blue Marlin donated by the Billfish Tournament to the Ocean Vet team for research was hoisted for delivery to the Spanish Point Boat Club on July 11, with the 573 pound fish requiring a team of workers and several pieces of equipment to get it loaded and moved.

Once the fish arrived at its destination, the Ocean Vet team dissected the fish, with footage taken for the upcoming television series and samples sent for further study intended to aid in the preservation of the Blue Marlin.

An Ocean Vet representative said, “Samples are being sent all over the world for study and collaboration with other research projects to help ensure the conservation of this special species.

“It is important to understand the relationship between sports fishing and conservation of this species. Sports fishing represents less than 1 percent of the entire blue marlin take around the world. The majority of all the competitions are catch and release, with only a handful that allow fish over 500lb to be killed for the prize.”

“Ocean Vet will broadcast all over the planet to millions of people early next year. This particular episode will show millions of people just how significant and important these animals are.

“We achieve this by allowing the audience to travel inside this fish on a journey that reveals what makes the animal such a formidable predator, how it has evolved to become one of the fastest fish in the ocean and how its internal organs are structured to help assist in this animals fight for survival.

“Educating many people who know very little about blue marlin is one of the strongest was to help protect this species and many others now and in the future. Many people both young and old will learn how remarkable they are empowering organizations with support to fight the real threat of long lining!

“We want to stress that Ocean Vet did not kill any Marlin however, we are reluctant to pass off the opportunity of showing the world about this magnificent species in a bid to help increase awareness and therefore protection in the future.”