2
NEWS
Tagged bluefin recaptured after 16 years
From 14lbs to 1200lbsIf you have any doubt whatsoever of the value in tagging fish consider this. Late last year, an Atlantic bluefin tuna was recaught, the third longest at liberty bluefin ever recaptured, after 16 years in the wild.
International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Representative and IGFA Hall of Fame Inductee Captain Al Anderson has probably tagged more Atlantic bluefin tuna than any other individual.
Through the years, Anderson has faced critics of his conservation beliefs, but has remained resolute about tagging not only tuna and striped bass, but also marlin, sharks and bottom fish. Besides tagging more Atlantic bluefin than anyone in the world, he also has more recaptures, critically important because recaptured tags provide valuable insight into migratory behaviour, life spans, growth rates, and population dynamics, and lead to sound management decisions and regulations.
Anderson’s marked bluefin have been recaptured in the Baltic Sea, off the coast of France, in the Straits of Gibraltar, and off the shores of Corsica and Sicily, shattering what scientists once believed about the species’ range.
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pelagic Game Fish Tagging Center (Miami) has tracked his tagged bluefin tuna for well over five decades now, starting in the late 1960's.
At the present time over 4700 plus Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) have carried NMFS tags deployed from Anderson’s vessels.
Recently, a two year old 14 lb. school bluefin originally tagged and released by Anderson on October 9, 1997 was recaptured 711 nautical miles from the Northeastern edge of Nova Scotia.
At 5855 days (or 16 years), this bluefin has the third longest time at liberty ever recorded. When it was recaptured it weighed approximately 1200 lb!
Of course, the NSW Game Fish Tagging Program is world class and no-less informative and revealing of our pelagic fish's movements. Game fishers tag and release more than 90 per cent of all the fish they 'land' and the Port Stephens Interclub later this month is the biggest even of its kind in the southern hemipshere, with abundant tagged and recaptured marlin and other species.
Read the latest Boatsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the Boatsales Network's mobile site. Or download the App for smartphone and tablet.
Tags
Share this article
Written byBoatsales Staff
See all articlesStay up to dateBecome a boatsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe todayDisclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Contact
Advertise with us
International marketplaces
Consent
Download the boatsales app
