Family’s Shock Catch: 100kg Marlin Near Kāpiti Island

The Unexpected Adventure

On a typical Saturday morning, the Breuer family from Waikanae set out for what they thought would be a regular fishing trip off the Kapiti Coast, aiming to catch some snapper. Little did they know, their day would take an extraordinary turn near Kāpiti Island. Ethan Breuer, 27, along with his fiancée Megan Adair and parents Keith and Jenny, embarked on their father’s boat, Kay Jay, with hopes of a good catch. After some initial success with snapper near Peka Peka, they ventured into deeper waters, setting out lures for marlin and tuna. Within just 15 to 20 minutes, their line was snagged by something far larger than they anticipated. “We weren’t even sure whether it was a marlin, a shark or tuna – but when we saw it do a big jump out of the water, we knew exactly what it was,” Ethan recounted with a mix of excitement and disbelief.

The Battle of Strength

The catch turned out to be a 100kg striped marlin, a species not commonly found so far south. For Ethan, reeling in this giant was no small feat. It took him an hour of intense effort, with his gimbal belt snapping under the strain, leaving him to rely solely on his own strength. “I didn’t have the luxury of a harness to give my arms a rest; they were absolutely buggered,” he described, highlighting the physical challenge of the catch. This marlin, while within the typical weight range for its species in New Zealand waters, was an anomaly for the Kāpiti Coast. The family’s astonishment was shared by the local community when they returned to Waikanae. Curious onlookers gathered around, eager to witness the rare catch, with many expressing their excitement as the marlin was weighed.

A Rare Phenomenon

This catch is part of a surprising trend of marlin being caught in unusual locations around New Zealand. Mike Plant from the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council noted that while marlin have been caught as far south as Jackson Bay, the concentration of catches near the Kapiti Coast is unprecedented. “Five of them being caught around there, around the same time, is unheard of,” Plant remarked, emphasizing the rarity of the event. Theories abound as to why these majestic creatures are venturing closer to our shores. Some speculate it’s due to warmer currents pushing further south, or perhaps a shortage of food in their usual habitats, driving them to seek sustenance closer to land. Recent observations of marlin with “mushy” flesh, similar to that seen in starved snapper, support the theory that these fish might be unusually hungry, venturing into new territories in search of food.

Implications and Future Prospects

The implications of these catches are significant for both the local fishing community and marine biologists. For families like the Breuers, it’s a story of adventure and a testament to the unpredictability of nature. For scientists, it’s a potential indicator of changing marine environments, possibly linked to broader climate patterns. As Ethan now deals with 50kg of marlin meat to smoke, the catch has not only provided a bounty but also sparked a conversation about the health of our oceans and the behavior of its inhabitants. This unusual event might encourage more research into the migration patterns of marlin and the impact of environmental changes on marine life. For now, the Breuer family’s catch remains a highlight of local lore, a reminder of the wonders that lie just off our coast, waiting to surprise us.