Approximately six weeks a year, a white marlin (locally known as “Skillie”) population resides in the Nantucket Shoals off the coast of southeastern New England. Previously recognized as a famous swordfishery, the fishery began evolving into exclusively white marlin in the 80s. By the end of the century, anglers were experiencing record numbers of fish, but the annual return of these larger than average inshore Skillies hasn’t remained consistent.

By the end of the century, anglers were experiencing record numbers of fish, but the annual return of these larger than average inshore Skillies, found on the surface, hasn’t remained consistent.
In recent years, local anglers have been taking note of what seems like a recent return of the species and have been investing their time into understanding the history of the fishery and working to protect it for the future.

A phone call to The Billfish Foundation in spring of 2024, led to the idea of a community-based, collaborative satellite tagging project, which quickly gained support from industry-leading brands and invested anglers. The Skillie Project was born.

The goal of The Skillie Project is to gain a better understanding of the White Marlin population off the coast of New England, focusing on their migratory patterns, habitat use, and population dynamics. By leveraging satellite tag data and scientific research, in partnership with The University of Maine, The Skillie Project aims to inform and drive effective conservation strategies, support sustainable fisheries management, and foster greater public awareness of the importance of protecting one of Nantucket’s most prized game fish. Learn more here: https://billfish.org/research/the-skillie-project.