Local fisherman Kirikava Tutavake landed the heaviest blue marlin of his fishing career on Monday – a massive catch weighing in at 212.5 kilograms.

Tutavake set out from Avatiu Harbour at 7am aboard his boat Te Toka Mea and caught the marlin near The Edgewater Resort shallow FAD (Fish Aggregating Device).

“I battled it for three hours,” he said. “It wasn’t even hooked - the fish had swallowed the whole bait on my line.”

The impressive catch marks a personal best for Tutavake and a proud milestone for Te Toka Mea.

He expressed gratitude to fellow fishermen JJ Marsters and Jojo Andaya for their assistance in bringing the marlin aboard.

The fish was officially weighed at the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club (CIGFC).