The International Game Fish Association (IGFA), established in 1939, not only promotes the conservation of game fish but also maintains a record of world-record fish. These records encompass various categories, including all tackle, freshwater fish, and saltwater fish.
Saltwater fish dominate the list of the five largest fish ever caught, as validated by the IGFA. In 1979, Fraser landed a massive 1,496-pound Atlantic bluefin tuna in Nova Scotia, Canada. The following year, in 1953, Alfred Glassell Jr. reeled in a 1,560-pound black marlin in Cabo Blanco, Peru. Greenland sharks, known for their longevity, also made the list when a 1,708-pound, 9-ounce specimen was caught in Trondheimsfjord, Norway, in 1987. Giant tiger sharks can measure up to 18 feet and weigh over 1,700 pounds, as evidenced by the massive shark caught by Kevin James Clapson in 2004. However, the largest fish on record remains the great white shark, a 2,664-pound behemoth caught by Alfred Dean in 1959 off the southern coast of Australia. Despite larger white sharks being caught, Dean’s record stands due to the IGFA’s strict standards and the vulnerable status of the species.
In comparison to their saltwater counterparts, freshwater fish records pale in size. The largest freshwater fish caught is a 297-pound Wels catfish landed by Roberto Godi in River Po, Italy, in 2010. However, the IGFA recognizes a massive 661-pound stingray caught in Cambodia in 2022 as the heaviest freshwater fish. Previously, the Guinness Record holder was a 646-pound Mekong giant catfish caught in Thailand, but it was not considered an individual achievement and therefore does not count under IGFA rules.
The pursuit of record-breaking fish has brought both excitement and controversy. While some anglers prioritize conservation and release their catches, others seek recognition for their accomplishments. The IGFA’s role in maintaining these records emphasizes the importance of ethical fishing practices and raises awareness about the need to protect vulnerable species like the great white shark.
