Who said blue marlin don't survive release?
This tagged blue marlin swam 500km from NSW to QLD and was caught and released againNSW Fisheries has posted more exciting tagging news from the longest-running game-fish tagging program in the world. This time, a blue marlin released in NSW has been recaptured and re-released in Queensland offshore waters
The enthusiastic blue marlin was tagged by Newcastle & Port Stephens GFC boat, Lost In Space, on April 25, 2016.
The billfish was reportedly one of several fish experienced during a hot blue marlin bite off Forster just north of Port Stephens. The fish was released and has recently been recaptured.
GOLD COAST GROUNDS
The 'blue' was recaptured by Gold Coast GFC boat Grinner on September 25, 2016, while fishing wide off the Gold Coast on the popular Riviera Grounds.
The fish was estimated at 140kg and was released once again after spending five months at liberty and travelling 272 nautical miles (504km) in a north-east direction.
The recapture adds further knowledge to the growing and valuable information bank attributed to tag and recaught fish in the world-recognised NSW Game Fish Tagging Program.
This information was reprinted in kind from a NSW Fisheries post in the interests of furthering angler knowledge and citizen science.
NSW DPI GAME FISH TAGGING PROGRAM
The NSW DPI Game Fish Tagging Program is the largest saltwater tagging program of its kind in the world and has been in operation since 1973.
It is used to obtain information on the biology (distribution, movement, growth, exploitation) of billfish, tunas, sharks and sport fish and encourages game fishers to participate in the management of the fishery.
Since the program commenced, more than 410,000 tag cards have been returned and more than 7000 fish recaptured.
Of the 60 species recognised by the Game Fishing Association of Australia (GFAA), it has been found that 10 species of fish tagged by the DPI Game Fish Tagging Program account for 70 per cent of all fish tagged.
The most popular tagged fish include: black marlin, yellowfin tuna, yellowtail kingfish, sailfish, Mahi Mahi (dolphinfish) mackerel tuna, striped marlin, striped tuna, albacore and bonito.
Photo Credit: Hamish Cathie
More information here on the NSW Game Fish Tagging program.
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