The Sea of Change Foundation has announced that its blue fin tuna “Tag A Giant” collaboration has successfully used the three satellite tags provided by the foundation.
The “Tag A Giant” team successfully tagged 5 tuna off the coast of Morehead in December 2020.
Each fish was around 7 to 9 years old and weighed in at an impressive 250lbs. Before release, each tagged fish had a DNA fin clip and tiny tissue sample taken. This will enable researchers to cross-reference sex markers and genetics with future data flows. Once attached, the tag will continue to collect data until it is time to pop off and float to the surface. There it can then transmit its data to the nearest orbiting satellite.
Commenting on the effort, Sea of Change Foundation Executive Director Samantha Whitcraft said:
“At the Sea of Change Foundation, we support cutting-edge science as a powerful tool for effective conservation, and the work of the Tag-A-Giant team is an example of excellent science in action. We’re excited to see the tracks from our three tagged tunas and will share those on our social media, so stay tuned.”
You can find out more about the Sea of Change Foundation here, and about the “Tag A Giant” effort here.
