Bluefin Tuna Catch & Release Program

Charter captains and private sport fishing anglers are invited to join the SaveTheBluefin network. Enrollment is free as the program's main goal is the conservation of Northern Atlantic bluefin and yellowfin tunas. Through the promotion of catching, releasing and tagging the program is furthering the conservation of Atlantic bluefin and yellowfin tuna in two major ways; 1.) Promote a fulfilling catch & release culture in the recreational tuna sportfishing community and 2.) Contribute to the scientific data through tagging to further understand the behaviors of the Northern Atlantic bluefin and yellowfin tunas.

CHARTER BOAT PROGRAM:
Charter boats can enroll in SaveTheBluefin's free CATCH - TAG - RELEASE program. Anglers aboard charter boats who catch, tag and release their bluefin are eligible to receive an individual Bluefin Care Package which contains items from supporting sponsors such as West Marine. Charter boat captains and their anglers can feel great about catching bluefin and through tag and release, contributing to the research task of understanding more about these great tuna. Specifically for charter boats fishing from Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, participation in the program will add valuable data to help further understand the behaviors of the tuna that swim in these regional waters.

Join these top charter operators in the SaveTheBluefin network like Adam Larosa's Canyon Runner fleet in New Jersey, Capt. Al Andersen from the legendary Prowler in Rhode Island, Capt. Gene Quigley from New Jersey's famed Shore Catch Guide Service, Capt. Jeff Smith from Cape Cod's Fin Addiction, Capt. Mike Deskin from Destiny Fishing Charters in CT, Capt. John McMurray from One More Cast in NY, Capt. Jim Miller from Endurance Charters in Long Island.

TAGGING ON CHARTER BOATS:
Charter boat captains can promote the research and conservation of bluefin tuna through tagging. Member charter boats in the SaveTheBluefin network should contact the National Marine Fisheries (NMFS) cooperative tagging center (CTC) to obtain a free tagging kit for use on bluefin tuna species in the Atlantic Ocean. (Tags can also be used for all other tunas and billfish.) Individual participants will be notified directly by the CTC if any of their tagged fish are recaptured. Members of the SaveTheBluefin network will also be sent reports on the collective efforts of the tagging studies with local knowledge on how to catch, tag and release tuna. Tagging kits can be requested via email at tagging@noaa.gov, or by phone 1-800-437-3936, or or online at http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/fisheriesbiology.jsp

FREE ENROLLMENT FOR CHARTER BOATS:
1.) Register for a free account on SaveTheBluefin.com. Charter boats get your own web page to document your anglers' tag and release experiences. Any type of content may be uploaded such as videos, images and text. Tips, how to information and suggestions are all welcome as we build an online database of learning and reference for practicing and promoting good catch - tag - release.

2.) To receive a package a month's worth of free "Bluefin Care Packages" for distribution to your anglers please email your shipping address to savethebluefintuna@gmail.com or call 917-721-4061. Please specify how many anglers in the first month you estimate will tag and release a bluefin tuna. Limit one care package per angler per trip/season.

3.) Shortly before the season begins, you will then receive a dry bag filled with individual "Bluefin Care Packages" for easy stowing and distribution to your anglers when on board. (PLEASE NOTE - "Bluefin Care Packages" are reserved for anglers releasing and tagging bluefin tuna only. You are free to tag yellowfin but the distribution of "Bluefin Care Packages" is for bluefin tuna only.)

3.) Requesting Tags: Several weeks before your season starts contact the National Marine Fisheries (NMFS) cooperative tagging center (CTC) to obtain free tags via email at tagging@noaa.gov, or by phone 1-800-437-3936, or or online at http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/fisheriesbiology.jsp. Once an angler tags a bluefin, the tagging report card must be filled out and returned to the CTC promptly for processing. You and your angler will be notified directly by the CTC if any of your tagged fish are recaptured.

4.) Reporting: As a member in the SaveTheBluefin network you will also receive email updates on collective efforts of the tagging studes, how to tips on tag & release, how to tips on the season's fishing and other useful information related to catching, releasing and tagging tuna.

"Bluefin Angler Care Packages"
The Bluefin Angler Care Packages come neatly stacked in a dry bag for easy stowing and distribution while aboard the charter boat. When an angler tags and releases a bluefin they are eligible to receive (1) Bluefin Angler Care Package. The Bluefin Angler Care Packages are neatly stacked in the dry bag for easy stowing and deployment. The 2009 care packages included items from the program's sponsors such as; West Marine Ball Cap, Newsletter from Tag A Giant Foundation and a Monterrey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Guide.

SPONSORS:

Providing Community Support Team apparel.

The Northeast Seafood Watch Pocket Guide from the Monterrey Bay Aquarium's award winning Seafood Watch Program. This is a great reference tool when eating out and ordering seafood that's safe to eat and easy on the environment.

Newsletter from the Tag A Giant Foundation. If you love tuna, this is amazing information from people who are dedicating their lives to gathering as much information as possible on our beloved tuna. A must read for anglers who care.


PARTICIPATING CHARTER BOATS & CAPTAINS:
CANYON RUNNER SPORTFISHING, Point Pleasant, New Jersey
SHORE CATCH GUIDE SERVICE, Capt. Gene Quigley, Point Pleasant, New Jersey
PROWLER, Capt. Al Andersen, Naragansett, Rhode Island, (legendary tagging efforts)
ONE MORE CAST, Capt. John McMurray, Long Island, NY
ENDURANCE CHARTERS, Capt. Jim Miller, Babylon, NY
FIN ADDICTION CHARTERS, Capt. Jeff Smith, Cape Cod, Mass.
DESTINY CHARTERS, Capt. Mike Deskin, Clinton, CT

CHARTER BOAT PROGRAM RULES:

1.) Angler must tag & release bluefin tuna in good condition.
2.) Limit one Bluefin Angler Care Package per angler per trip. Limit one care package per angler per season.
3.) You must be aboard a participating and approved SaveTheBluefin network charter boat to receive the Bluefin Angler Care Package.
4.) SaveTheBluefin can revoke a charter boat's eligibility to receive and distribute Bluefin Care Packages for any reason.
5.) Care Package contents based on availability and subject to change without notice.
6.) Shipping and handling charges may apply for refills of the Angler Care Packages for long distance requests.


PRIVATE ANGLERS FREE ENROLLMENT:
Simply register for a free account here on www.SaveTheBluefin.com. Anglers get your own web page to document your tuna tag and release experiences. Any type of content may be uploaded such as videos, images and text. Tips, how to information and suggestions are all welcome as we build an online database of learning and reference for practicing and promoting good catch - tag - release for bluefin and yellowfin tuna.

TAGGING ON PRIVATE BOATS:
Private sport anglers can promote the research and conservation of bluefin and yellowfin tuna through tagging. Members of SaveTheBluefin should contact the National Marine Fisheries (NMFS) cooperative tagging center (CTC) to obtain a free tagging kit for use on bluefin and yellowfin tuna. The tags may also be used for billfish as well. Tagging reports must be completed and sent back to the CTC for processing. You will be notified directly by the CTC if any of your tagged fish are recaptured. Members of the SaveTheBluefin network will also be sent reports on the collective efforts of the tagging studies with local knowledge on how to catch, tag and release tuna. Several weeks before your first trip request a free tagging kit via email at tagging@noaa.gov, or by phone 1-800-437-3936, or or online at http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/fisheriesbiology.jsp

SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE:
If your company cares about the conservation of Northern Atlantic bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna populations and would like to support or sponsor SaveTheBluefin please email savethebluefintuna@gmail.com. We have unique opportunities available to place your company's products in the hands of some of the best charter captains and anglers in the world. We welcome creative ideas so please contact us for more information.