NEWSFLASH
29-08-2001, 07:17 PM
14 August 2001
KEEP A LOOKOUT FOR TAGGED TAILOR
Fishers are being asked to return tagged Tailor they catch to the Department of Primary Industries.
Staff from the DPI’s innovation arm, the Agency for Food and Fibre Science, (AFFS) carried out a two-week tailor tagging operation on Fraser Island last September during which more than two thousand tailor were tagged during the annual spawning closure.
The tagging operation was part of a three-year research project aimed at determining and validating the growth rate of this important sport-fish species. Funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, the project is being run by AFFS staff, with assistance from Queensland Fisheries Service staff and many keen recreational anglers.
Principal Fisheries Scientist, Dr Ian Brown, said that age-determination procedures for a number of south Queensland’s inshore fish species, including tailor, have been developed by Southern Fisheries Centre staff at Deception Bay.
"The procedures use otoliths (ear bones), which contain a record of the growth history of the fish, to derive population age-structure information, which is then used to estimate mortality rates in the fish stocks," he said.
More tailor are being tagged this year as they appear along the southern Queensland surf beaches. Recreational anglers who catch tagged tailor are asked to report the details by calling the toll-free telephone number printed on the tag, and retain the frame (skeleton) or whole fish for collection by SFC staff. The tags are a bright green colour, but with time they can become encrusted with a brown algal growth (see photograph below).
"Anglers are therefore asked to keep a lookout for a possibly discoloured tag in the back of any tailor they might catch. If the number on the tag is obscured by algal growth or discoloration, anglers should advise project staff directly by calling (07) 3817 9583. The project relies on the cooperation of recreational anglers in notifying the SFC of the recapture of tagged fish, and retaining the frame (skeleton) of the fish for further study." Dr Brown said.
He said if the fish is above the minimum legal size (30 cm total length) it may be filleted provided the skeleton (including the head) is then frozen with the tag in place. If the fish is undersized it must be kept whole and preferably frozen with the tag intact.
Dr Brown said tagged fish can be left at Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol offices or National Parks Ranger stations if it is convenient. The Patrol Officer or Ranger will then make arrangements for collection.
He said that tag recapture information is processed by InfoFish Services which is affiliated with the Australian National Sportfishing Association. A reward will be issued to anglers who return the fish frame or skeleton as well as the tag.
For more information: Dr Ian Brown: (07) 3817 9580
Adam Butcher: (07) 3817 9583 Mark McLennan: (07) 9817 95996, Public Affairs Officer: Mark Dawson 07 5430 4951, mob 0428 986 231
Department of Primary Industries Public Affairs
PO Box 5165 Sunshine Coast Mail Centre 4560. Ph 07 5430 4911 Fax 07 5430 4994
DPI Call Centre 8am-6pm weekdays on local call 13 25 23
KEEP A LOOKOUT FOR TAGGED TAILOR
Fishers are being asked to return tagged Tailor they catch to the Department of Primary Industries.
Staff from the DPI’s innovation arm, the Agency for Food and Fibre Science, (AFFS) carried out a two-week tailor tagging operation on Fraser Island last September during which more than two thousand tailor were tagged during the annual spawning closure.
The tagging operation was part of a three-year research project aimed at determining and validating the growth rate of this important sport-fish species. Funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, the project is being run by AFFS staff, with assistance from Queensland Fisheries Service staff and many keen recreational anglers.
Principal Fisheries Scientist, Dr Ian Brown, said that age-determination procedures for a number of south Queensland’s inshore fish species, including tailor, have been developed by Southern Fisheries Centre staff at Deception Bay.
"The procedures use otoliths (ear bones), which contain a record of the growth history of the fish, to derive population age-structure information, which is then used to estimate mortality rates in the fish stocks," he said.
More tailor are being tagged this year as they appear along the southern Queensland surf beaches. Recreational anglers who catch tagged tailor are asked to report the details by calling the toll-free telephone number printed on the tag, and retain the frame (skeleton) or whole fish for collection by SFC staff. The tags are a bright green colour, but with time they can become encrusted with a brown algal growth (see photograph below).
"Anglers are therefore asked to keep a lookout for a possibly discoloured tag in the back of any tailor they might catch. If the number on the tag is obscured by algal growth or discoloration, anglers should advise project staff directly by calling (07) 3817 9583. The project relies on the cooperation of recreational anglers in notifying the SFC of the recapture of tagged fish, and retaining the frame (skeleton) of the fish for further study." Dr Brown said.
He said if the fish is above the minimum legal size (30 cm total length) it may be filleted provided the skeleton (including the head) is then frozen with the tag in place. If the fish is undersized it must be kept whole and preferably frozen with the tag intact.
Dr Brown said tagged fish can be left at Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol offices or National Parks Ranger stations if it is convenient. The Patrol Officer or Ranger will then make arrangements for collection.
He said that tag recapture information is processed by InfoFish Services which is affiliated with the Australian National Sportfishing Association. A reward will be issued to anglers who return the fish frame or skeleton as well as the tag.
For more information: Dr Ian Brown: (07) 3817 9580
Adam Butcher: (07) 3817 9583 Mark McLennan: (07) 9817 95996, Public Affairs Officer: Mark Dawson 07 5430 4951, mob 0428 986 231
Department of Primary Industries Public Affairs
PO Box 5165 Sunshine Coast Mail Centre 4560. Ph 07 5430 4911 Fax 07 5430 4994
DPI Call Centre 8am-6pm weekdays on local call 13 25 23