Tagging

HOW TO JOIN:
Register for your free account here on www.savethebluefin.com. You will use this account to upload photos and videos of your tagging efforts so we can all learn from each other.

ORDER FREE TAGS
Request your free tags from NOAA's Cooperative Tagging Center by email (tagging@noaa.gov) or phone (1-800-437-3936).

On your emails please also cc savethebluefintuna@gmail.com so we may track your requests.

Include your shipping address.

First time orders, will be fulfilled with (5) tags, (5) tag cards, a steel applicator that you can use to make a tag stick with and some basic instructions. Once anglers demonstrate they are tagging and mailing the tag cards back (pre-paid postage) promptly after tagging (within 3 weeks), future orders can be in greater quantities. The most important aspect of tagging aside from the actual tagging, is sending back the tag cards.

It can take 2-3 weeks to get your tags.

HOW TO SAFELY TAG TUNA
Tagging tuna can be both beneficial for science and rewarding to anglers if done properly with the right gear and techniques. Conversely, tagging done the wrong way can further harm tuna and increase mortality. Here at the Atlantic Tuna Project, we are committed to sharing best practices as our efforts continually evolve. This page will be a living document as we continue to improve the processes by which we tag tuna. There are some pictures below that demonstrate some of the tactics listed here.

GEAR:
Here is a list of gear you should have for successful tagging:
1.) Tags: Nylon (plastic) "spaghetti" tags can be ordered free of charge by emailing tagging@noaa.gov.
2.) Tag Cards: Each tag comes with a tagging card. Each time you tag a tuna, you must complete the tag card and mail it back to NOAA's Cooperative Tagging Center. The postage is pre-paid.
3.) Tag Stick: You can purchase a tagging stick or easily make one from a wooden dowel. Here is a short video on how to make a tag stick from a broom handle. You will receive a steel tag head with your first order of tags that fits into the wooden dowel or broom handle. All you need is an 11/64th drill bit to make a small hole, and the tag head taps right into the wood. Watch the video for instructions.
4.) "Tag Rag": You should have a small towel or piece of cloth to place over the tuna's eyes if you bring the fish on board for tagging. This keeps the tuna still as you deploy the tag. A dark color works best.
5.) Tailer: For in-water tagging and for larger tuna, using a tailer or other device to secure / hold the tail of the tail of the tuna is most useful.
6.) Hooks: Use steel hooks, not stainless steel. You might have to change your hooks more often but it's worthwhile as stainless hooks won't rust out of a tuna's mouth if the line breaks. Use single hooks on lures and circle hooks with bait. Avoid using treble hooks on jigs and plugs. Not only does the treble hook cause more damage, but the free treble that is not in the fish's mouth causes unnecessary damage at boat side during de-hooking. The free treble swings into the eyes of tuna all too much and this injury can be worse than the treble hook in the mouth.
7.) Tape Measure: Have a household tape measure for taking the curved fork length of the tuna.
8.) Large Ziploc Bag: To carry your tags and tag cards, a pen and extra rubber bands for use on the tag stick.

TAGGING TUNA ON BOARD
The best scenario for the tuna is to tag in water and not bring the fish on board. However for anglers just starting to tag, many will most likely bring tuna on board, especially tuna that are ~100 pounds and under. If you have a transom door, this is ideal as you can pull a tuna through the door on a wave right into the cockpit. The crews of the Canyon Runner have perfected this technique. Here's a video of their operation.

1.) If you do not have a transom door lift the tuna carefully over the rail being conscience to minimize any rubbing of the fish on the boat or rub rail.

2.) Place the tuna down on the deck, a top a wet cloth or rug. Quickly place the a cloth over its eyes. This will calm the tuna and avoid the tail slapping.

3.) Use your tape measure to record the length of the tuna. Measure the curved fork length, which is taken from the top lip of the tuna, following its curved body back to where the body ends in a fork at the center of the tail. This measurement will be recorded on your tagging card.

4.) Use a short tag stick that is made for on board tagging. Prior to the fish coming to the boat you should have the tag already on the tag stick ready to deploy. You should not leave a tuna on the deck while you look for your tags. With a gentle push, insert the tag at an angle in the shoulder of the fish (see picture below), away from the lateral line and dorsal. You do not have to push hard to insert the tag. The tuna may twitch slightly but otherwise will remain clam during the tag placement as long as the cloth is over the eyes. If you take a picture, make it fast and have the camera man predetermined and prepared - which means having the camera ready to go before the tuna hits the deck. You want to minimize the time the tuna is out of the water at all costs. Seconds matter.

5.) Pick up the tuna being careful not to put your hands under the gill plate. Using gloves is a good idea. I use AFTCO Bluefever gloves and they are fantastic. Point the tuna toward the water, take off the cloth from its eyes and push the tuna head first into the water with moderate force. You want to get the water rushing over its gills upon impact (see picture below).

6.) After you release the fish, complete your tagging card with the measurement and any other data that you might not remember back at the dock like the the curved fork length of the fish, species of tuna, latitude and longitude of where the fish was caught and if the hook was removed. If you don't want to reveal your fishing location, use a general lat / lon numbers or one that is within reasonable proximity.

7.) Upload any photos and/or videos of your tuna tagging to your page here on www.savethebluefin.com. This is critical so we can all learn from each other.

TAGGING TUNA IN WATER:
In water tagging is the best method for the tuna, especially large tuna that are too large to bring on board and who are exhausted after the fight.

1.) Bring the tuna alongside the boat, keeping the boat in gear slowly. Leader the fish and lead him alongside the boat. Lip gaffing the tuna will be the first point of securing the fish alongside the boat for tagging.

2.) Use a longer tag stick to ensure you can tag the tuna from a safe distance in case the tuna makes another run. With a firm action, insert the tag into the shoulder of the tuna. If you can remove the hook, this is an ideal time but do not sacrifice safety for a hook or lure. Better to cut the line than risk injury. If you use single hooks, hook removal is much easier and safer.

3.) If the fish is tired enough and you can also get a tailer around the tail or tail rope as this makes it easier to remove the hook and take a measurement. If this fish is still green and the situation is unsafe cut the line as close to the hook as possible.

4.) Complete your tagging card with data that you might not remember back at the dock like the the curved fork length of the fish, species of tuna, latitude and longitude of where the fish was caught and if the hook was removed. If you don't want to reveal your fishing location, use a general location or one that is within close proximity.

5.) Upload any photos and/or videos of your tuna tagging to your page here on www.savethebluefin.com. This is critical so we can all learn from each other.

Tagging a school bluefin tuna on Capt. Keith Maurer's Anticipation. Angler was Jeff LoGioco, mate Scott Murdoch.