The American Littoral Society’s tagging program recently revealed some interesting information on bluefish and their travels. Between 1988 and 1999, the ALS tagged over 13,000 bluefish, and their recapture information shows how far they travel in little time. One 14 pound bluefish was tagged on October 20 in Narragansett Bay, RI; by December 15, the blue was recaptured off Cape Hatteras, NC. Another bluefish, a 10 pounder, was tagged 23 miles off Virginia Beach, VA; on July 25, the same fish was caught in Port Judith, RI. Both of these fish were clearly choppers, and one would wonder if smaller bluefish travel as far as their larger counterparts in such short time. Only more tagging data will tell.
The ALS is a national, not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to the environmental well-being of coastal habitat. Their fish tag and release program has been operating since 1965, and all of their information is forwarded to the National Marine Fisheries Service Laboratory. To become a member of the ALS or to participate in their tagging program, call the Sandy Hook-based national headquarters (732.291.0055).
