Contact: Gordon Helm FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5/15/96
A research team headed by the National Marine Fisheries Service has for the first time installed data-logging tags on Atlantic bluefin tuna that will provide important information for future management and conservation of the fishery.
Archival tags are "state of the art" electronic data-logging devices that provide location estimates by measuring light intensity through a light sensor. In addition, the tag measures pressure and provides information on depth, water temperature, and body temperature of the fish. This information is collected on a daily basis and stored in the tag for up to seven years.
The results of this research are expected to provide scientists with detailed information on the movement and daily behavior of giant Atlantic bluefin tuna, which has previously been unattainable. The information sought will be important to the management of the fishery, and includes specific data on Atlantic migratory routes, spawning area fidelity, and stock structure.
"The information we expect to gather from this research will help to answer critical questions about the life of bluefin tuna," said William Hogarth, acting chief of the fisheries service's highly migratory species division. "However, it is equally important to follow all regulations regarding the legal catch and retention of bluefin tuna."
All bluefin tuna equipped with archival tags also have a unique external conventional streamer tag, with two-tone coloration, to help fishermen recognize these fish and return the archival tags. In an effort to induce the return of the valuable electronic tags, $1,000 will be paid for the return of each of these 10 archival tags from legally caught Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Research team members had to overcome the significant obstacle of handling very large bluefin tuna (180 to 350 pounds) on the high seas. Medium and giant bluefin tuna were successfully brought aboard fishing vessels, and a short surgical procedure was used to implant the archival tag into the body cavity of these large fish. Scientists sucessfully tagged and released 10 fish with the new tags off the coast of Hatteras, N.C., last March 24 and 25 while working on board recreational vessels at the invitation of vessel owners.
The landmark research was accomplished by a team of scientists from the fisheries service, which is an agency of the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station; and Monterey Bay Aquarium's Tuna Research and Conservation Center.
###
NOTE TO EDITORS: See attached fact sheet regarding return of
tags.
Information about the Cooperative Tagging
Center of the
Southeast Fisheries Science Center can be found on Internet at:
http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/tag.html
For information about the
National Marine Fisheries Service:
http://kingfish.ssp.nmfs.gov/
All NOAA press releases, and links to other NOAA material, can be
found on the NOAA Public Affairs World Wide Web home page,
http://www.noaa.gov/public-affairs. If you'd like to receive
these releases by electronic mail rather than fax, please send an
e-mail to: jslaff@hq.noaa.gov
FACT SHEET-ARCHIVAL TAG RETURN
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
Archival tags have been successfully placed in 10 Atlantic bluefin tuna ranging in size from 180 to 350 pounds. This covers small medium, large medium and giant bluefin tuna.
small medium - 135-235 lbs
large medium - 235-210 lbs
giant - 310 lbs and up$1,000 will be paid for each tag that is properly removed from legally caught Atlantic bluefin tuna and returned.
Fishermen must follow all regulations.
Fishermen are reminded that possessing or landing large school or small medium Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) is currently prohibited. NMFS closed the Atlantic bluefin tuna categories for large school and small medium on March 17, 1996. Fishermen are also reminded that possessing, or landing large medium and giant Atlantic bluefin tuna was closed February 28, 1996. Anglers may continue to fish for and land school size ABT, measuring 27 inches (69 cm) to less than 47 inches (119 cm) total forked length. Anglers may also continue to fish for ABT 47 inches (119 cm) or greater under the NMFS tag and release program (50 CFR 285.27). The giant/large medium and large school/small medium size categories will remain closed until further notice.
Vessels that have been issued incidental catch permits under 50 CFR section 285.21 may retain and land large medium and giant Atlantic bluefin tuna as an incidental catch under the requirements of 50 CFR section 285.23.
The commercial fishery for large medium and giant bluefin tuna will open June 1, 1996.
A unique external streamer tag of florescent orange and white is attached to the dorsal musculature high on the shoulder within about an inch of the dorsal midline. On the white side of the tag it says "electronic tag inside stomach," and on the orange side it says "Big $$$ reward." A light stalk from the archival tag is protruding from the stomach cavity. If legally taken, confirmed archival tagged fish should be brought aboard the boat. DO NOT REMOVE THE ARCHIVAL TAG BY PULLING THE EXTERNAL LIGHT STALK IN THE STOMACH CAVITY. TO REMOVE THE ARCHIVAL TAG MAKE A SMALL INCISION IN THE AREA OF THE STOMACH AND REMOVE THE METAL TAG (WITH THE LIGHT STALK) BY HAND. DO NOT CLEAN THE TAG, SIMPLY COVER IT AND CALL THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE. DURING BUSINESS HOURS CALL 1-800-437-3936 or (305) 361-4219 ON WEEKENDS, OR AT NIGHT CALL DR. ERIC PRINCE COLLECT AT (305) 598-0944. INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE PROVIDED REGARDING WHERE AND HOW THE TAG SHOULD BE MAILED. AFTER VERIFICATION OF THE TAG, ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE REGARDING PAYMENT OF THE $1,000.