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Atlantic Halibut Tagging Information
Atlantic Halibut, Saltwater Fish Species, Saltwater Fishing theangler PM
The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has conducted Atlantic halibut research with the cooperation of fishermen for the past seven years. In addition to an Experimental Fishery in federal waters that operated between 2000 and 2004, the DMR has maintained a voluntary tagging program with fishermen in state waters.
The results from these efforts have shown long distance migrations to waters as far away as Newfoundland and the Grand Banks. Thirty percent of the halibut recaptured to date have traveled east to Canadian waters. Recaptured fish have also shed light on localized movements from presumed offshore spawning areas to summer feeding grounds off the coast of Maine.
Research efforts will be expanded in spring 2007 to include a comprehensive survey of halibut distribution from the Canadian line to the NH border, out to 25 nautical miles. Tagging will be a major component of this study. We will be deploying three types of tags: conventional wire tags, data storage tags and satellite tags:
PLEASE BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR THESE TAGS! ALL TAG RETURNS RECEIVE A REWARD AND MANY TAGS ARE WORTH $250 OR $500.
IF YOU CATCH A TAGGED HALIBUT, RECORD THE DATE, LOCATION, LENGTH AND WEIGHT OF THE FISH. IF YOU KEEP IT, ALSO RECORD THE SEX AND COLLECT THE EAR BONES (OTOLITHS).
IF THE HALIBUT HAS A DATA STORAGE OR SATELLITE TAG – KEEP THE TAG EVEN IF YOU RELEASE THE FISH.
Also note there is a Canadian halibut tagging effort underway and any Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) tags can be returned directly (Shelly Armsworthy: armsworthy@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca ) or to ME DMR.
Thank you for your cooperation and for those who have been tagging, thank you for your continued participation. Please feel free to contact Kohl Kanwit for more information.