NOAA Researchers Propose to Tag Sharks and Other Species in Closed Area NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center has requested a scientific research permit for the collection, tagging, and release of highly migratory species (HMS), including collection efforts in the Northeastern U.S. closed area. Research would be conducted aboard the NOAA vessel Delaware II. Through this research, fishery managers would collect additional data necessary to consider the importance of the Northeastern U.S. closed area ecosystem in the management and conservation of HMS in the Atlantic Ocean. This research would focus primarily on pelagic sharks. Tagged sharks would be injected with tetracycline for age validation studies. Biological samples would be taken from some species of sharks, including samples for age studies, stomach samples for food and feeding information, and reproductive samples. The data would be used to support current research on life history of thresher sharks and the food habits of blue sharks and shortfin makos. In addition, in collaboration with the University of New Hampshire, NOAA scientists would deploy pop-up satellite archival tags on any live, incidentally caught bluefin and yellowfin tunas. Researchers would also tag any live billfish. Fish would be collected with traditional Yankee pelagic longline gear, comparing previous catch data to catch rates and bait retention using alternating 9/0 (#40) Japanese tuna hooks, 16/0 non-offset circle hooks, and 18/0 non-offset barbless circle hooks. The research would take place May 30 – June 9, 2006, between Delaware and the Gulf of Maine, with approximately 10 sets in the Northeastern U.S. closed area. Sea turtle handling and release equipment and instructions would be onboard the research vessel at all times. Interested parties are invited to comment on this proposal. Send all comments to:
NOAA Researchers Propose to Tag Sharks and Other Species in Closed Area
NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center has requested a scientific research permit for the collection, tagging, and release of highly migratory species (HMS), including collection efforts in the Northeastern U.S. closed area. Research would be conducted aboard the NOAA vessel Delaware II. Through this research, fishery managers would collect additional data necessary to consider the importance of the Northeastern U.S. closed area ecosystem in the management and conservation of HMS in the Atlantic Ocean.
This research would focus primarily on pelagic sharks. Tagged sharks would be injected with tetracycline for age validation studies. Biological samples would be taken from some species of sharks, including samples for age studies, stomach samples for food and feeding information, and reproductive samples. The data would be used to support current research on life history of thresher sharks and the food habits of blue sharks and shortfin makos. In addition, in collaboration with the University of New Hampshire, NOAA scientists would deploy pop-up satellite archival tags on any live, incidentally caught bluefin and yellowfin tunas. Researchers would also tag any live billfish.
Fish would be collected with traditional Yankee pelagic longline gear, comparing previous catch data to catch rates and bait retention using alternating 9/0 (#40) Japanese tuna hooks, 16/0 non-offset circle hooks, and 18/0 non-offset barbless circle hooks. The research would take place May 30 – June 9, 2006, between Delaware and the Gulf of Maine, with approximately 10 sets in the Northeastern U.S. closed area. Sea turtle handling and release equipment and instructions would be onboard the research vessel at all times.
Interested parties are invited to comment on this proposal. Send all comments to:
SF*********@no**.gov by May 18.