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Canadian Halibut Tagging Project

In addition to the Maine halibut tagging project, there is a similar effort underway in Canada.

Introduction

For the past 8 years halibut fishermen in the Scotia-Fundy region have been participating in a survey to monitor the 3NOPs4VWX5Z Atlantic halibut stock. This survey has been a large success and data from the survey are used in the assessment of this halibut stock. Since early 2004, a variety of new projects have been developed to increase the amount of information obtained from the halibut survey. The most recent new project is a tag-recapture program. Tagging of undersized halibut (with yellow tags) has been done by many halibut fishermen for years, even prior to the development of the survey.

$100 per pink tagged halibut AND $1000 lottery

The new tagging program will be done during the halibut survey. All sizes of halibut will be tagged on the dark side below the dorsal fin with two pink tags, roughly six inches apart. The doubled tagging is to test for tag loss from the halibut. Regardless of whether there are one or two pink tags, you will be rewarded $100 plus a lottery entry for each tag returned. The numbers on the two tags are cross-referenced. We would like both tags returned if they are present. Returning both tags will give you two entries into the lottery for $1000. These lotteries will occur four times per year and all entries will remain in the pot for future lottery draws. The yellow tags from the original tagging program will also be entered into the $1000 lotteries. So please dig out any tags you have around the boat or office and send them in. And start looking for those $100 pink tags!

When your tags and information are received you will get a follow up phone call to let you know your reward is on the way and we will also be mailing out maps and information letters to tell you where and when the halibut you caught was tagged and how much it grew. This tagging study will bring valuable information about the size of the population and the exploitation of the stock, as well as where the fish move. To get the most out of it we need to ask you to return some information along with each of your tags.

Here is a list of the details we ask you to include:

• Tag numbers
• Fish length
• Sex of fish
• Date
• Location (lat/lon)
• Gear
• Fishing depth
• Your name, address and phone number

Return tags to:

Bedford Institute of Oceanography
Halibut Tagging Program
Post Office Box 1006
Darmouth, Nova Scotia
B2Y 4A2

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