Cod TaggingNortheast Regional Cod Tagging Program The ProgramThe CCCHFA is pleased to have completed our third year of cod tagging efforts. Contracted with the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Cooperative Research Partner’s Program, CCCHFA has worked with Cape Cod’s hook and line fleet to deploy over 60,000 mark recapture research tags in Atlantic Cod (Gadus Morhua) in area waters. Our program is part of a larger effort, the Northeast Regional Cod Tagging Program, in which commercial fishermen across New England tagged some 115,000 cod in conjunction with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, The School for Marine Science and Technology at The University of Massachusetts, The Maine Department of Marine Resources, The Island Institute, The Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, and the Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Gulf of Maine Research Institute is the coordinating body for the overall project and acts as a central clearinghouse for data, outreach, and returns.Study GoalsThe regional tagging effort is aimed at filling in geographical gaps not addressed in previous mark and release studies, and hopes to provide fresh insights into the movement and distribution of cod in New England and neighboring Canadian waters. A database has been built which is accessible to all stakeholders, with an online GIS mapping interface with near real time data presentation capacity. It is hoped that this database will be used to identify and develop testable hypotheses for continuing tagging studies. Most importantly, this project successfully launched a large scale pioneering effort to foster an increased role for commercial fleets in the science which is so critical to their future. The Northeast Regional Cod Tagging Program seeks to build bridges of communication between fishermen, scientists and fishery managers. After three years of tagging operations, CCCHFA and program partners now turn our attention to data analysis as well as continued public outreach and education.Conducting the Research Over one hundred vessels throughout New England have participated in tagging operations using longline, otter trawl, hook and line, gillnet, trap and lobster gear. Both commercial and recreational vessels have contributed at a split of approximately 66% commercial and 34% recreational. Fishermen and scientists have acted as tagging technicians, with the majority being fishermen. The bulk of the tags in our local effort were deployed by Chatham and Harwich hook fishermen during more than 402 dedicated research trips at sea using rod and reel. Other interested parties were provided the opportunity to integrate smaller scale tagging efforts into 309 days of non-dedicated charter, trap and lobster trips. Overall, the Hook has distributed over $750,000 in tagging revenues to over 100 local fishermen.Data recorded at the time of tagging includes the Tag#, fish length, location, water temperature, depth, spawning condition, date and time. Tags are yellow T-Bar anchor type, commonly known as a “spaghetti tag,” and are inserted next to the first dorsal fin using an Avery Dennison tagging gun. The tag is basically the same as that used to price clothing, and the gun is actually a modified and improved “haberdashers” gun. Codfish are carefully removed from the hook, held temporarily in a live well, gently tagged and returned to the water unharmed. Our dedicated trips, typically 10-14 hours long, have averaged 115 fish tagged thus far, with a one day high of 429 by the FV Arlie X on May 20, 2004. We have been very impressed by the hook fleet’s efficiency, skill, ideas and teamwork. The fishermen have brought important input to the project, both in design and implementation, through suggestions on logistics, administration, tackle, live wells and the direction of effort. The fishermen are excited to be participating. They often speak of the satisfaction they are deriving from releasing the fish; they feel they are “giving something back” to the industry and the fish population. One said, “This is the first thing I have been psyched about on the water in years.” CCCHFA and our program partners are also greatly appreciative of all the fleet’s hard work. Recaptured Tagged CodTo date, nearly 3,800 tagged cod have been recaptured and reported. Over 1,200 of cod released by Hook contracted vessels have been recaptured and reported. Despite the conclusion of tagging efforts in July, 2005, tagged cod will continue to be caught for upwards of 5 years. The community as a whole should be aware of the tag deployments, and keep a sharp eye out for marked fish. At the time of recapture, the CCCHFA and our partners ask that fishermen record the same information that is collected upon release: tag #, fish length, gear used, location, depth, water temperature, time, date and spawning condition. We also encourage the collection of information on the overall condition of the fish and the condition of the tag site. The tags are marked with the project name, a website address and a toll-free telephone number for easy reporting. Take should be removed from the fish and mailed to the Gulf of Maine Research Institute at 350 Commercial Street, Portland, ME 04101. Fishermen are also able to follow the movements of any tagged codfish they find on the website: www.codresearch.org, and receive a report about the fish’s movements, a gift and entrance into a monthly-drawn lottery with a $100 cash prize.View the Final Report you need adobe reader to view the file Last updated: May 16, 2006 |
Today's CatchGet Ready for the Event of the Season! Hookers Ball VIII - August 16th.  See the boats unload and visit the Hosts at the Chatham Fish Pier!  Help Hook the Cure Striped Bass Derby! August 23, 2008, Benefits Parkinson disease research. HAVE YOU CAUGHT A TAGGED HADDOCK OR COD? Report the tagged fish and receive a prize!
If you catch a haddock or cod with a tag:
Fish length Spawning condition Date and time Location Water depth and temperature Gear used Fate of fish (released or landed)
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