March 27th saw the Barbados Fisheries Division’s third expedition out to conduct tagging on the dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus). The tagging program, in collaboration with the Guy Harvey Foundation, has allowed us to tag 16 dolphinfish to date. The journey of 100 dolphinfish tagged is well underway!
Not sure what a tagged dolphinfish looks like? Be sure to look out for a thin, orange, antenna-like wire hooked on the shoulder of the dolphinfish, just above the pectoral fin. See example below:
What to do when a tagged dolphinfish is caught
Once a tagged dolphinfish is caught, it is considered “recaptured.” Upon its first capture, the individual was tagged. On this tag, there is a serial number towards the end:
Once tagged, the coordinates at which the individual was caught was recorded, along with its length (fork length) and sex.
For recaptures, the name of the fisher and the boat fished on, tag serial number, coordinates at which the individual was caught, along with its length (fork length), and weight should be recorded.
The Dolphinfish Research Program Recapture Report Form can be found at https://dolphintagging.com/report-recaptures/.
Alternatively, this information could be forwarded by email to: kyle.foster@barbados.gov.bb, jalisa.king@barbados.gov.bb, or bdsfisheriesdivision@gmail.com, or by phone via +1 (246) 535-5800.
