Tagging tuna

NSW DPI recently posted some timely advice to its social-media sites about how to tag general pelagic species such as tuna, kingfish, mahi mahi (dolphin fish),etc.

In particular, the purpose of the post by Fisheries was to provide a quick reminder for people that are planning to tag tuna this winter — and they have just arrived off Sydney in a big way — or who tag the various other sportsfish species using our single-barbed "pelagic tags."

These single-barbed "pelagic tags" are designed to lock behind the pterygiophores - these are the small bones that support the fish’s dorsal fins.

It is easiest to do this using a hand tagger (or just the tag applicator) and to insert the tag directly below the second dorsal fin.

Angle the tag at approximately 45 degrees to reduce water friction and twist the tag applicator before removing it. Give the tag a tug to check that it is located correctly – the barb should hook around the bony structure of the pterygiophore and lock the tag in place.

If the tag is inserted incorrectly into the muscle in the dorsal area, without locking in behind the bony structure, it is very likely that the tag will be prematurely shed by the fish (as if it were a splinter). The images accompanying this fishing tip courtesy of NSW DPI show the correct and incorrect locations.

For more information of the NSW DPI Game Fish Tagging Program see http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/…/recreational/saltwater/gamefish-tagging.