Bob and Karen Weaver got the fish charter of a lifetime when they caught (and released!), what the IGFA and TBF are saying is the first ever ‘all white’ blue marlin ever caught on film.
The rare fish was caught off the coast of Los Sueños, Costa Rica while on board the Spanish Fly, a chartered fishing boat through Maverick Yachts and Sportfishing Charters. The boat was captained by Juan Carlos Fallas Zamora with mates Carlos Pollo Espinoza Jimenez and Roberto Chelato Salinas Hernandez.
According to the IGFA (International Game Fish Association), the shape and size of the marlin’s dorsal and pectoral fins are clear indications that it’s a blue marlin.
While it was first described as an albino, many are saying that is actually leucistic, which is often confused with albinism. Unlike albinism, leucism is caused by a reduction in all types of skin pigment, not just melanin.
A further difference between albinism and leucism is in eye colour. Due to the lack of melanin production in both the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) and iris, albinos typically have red eyes due to the underlying blood vessels showing through. In contrast, most leucistic animals have normally coloured eyes, such as this particular marlin. [source]
Ultimately it was Karen Weaver who reeled the billfish in after a 90-minute fight. Later, it was safely released back into the ocean by the crew.
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