Found a tag?
To achieve the different scientific objectives of this project, several types of tag and tagging methods are used:
- YELLOW TAGS: the conventional "spaghetti" tag is used to estimate the exploitation rate, study horizontal movements and fisheries interactions.
- RED TAGS: denote the presence of an electronic archival tag implanted in the fish's abdominal cavity. These tags record parameters such as depth, internal and external temperature and light intensity and are used to study the biology and behaviour of the tuna.
- WHITE TAGS: indicate that the fish was tagged with an antibiotic, oxytetracycline. The fish's otoliths (ear bones) can be examined and used to study the fish's growth.
All tagged fish that are recaptured have to be accounted for and the following information should be collected:
- Tag number
- Tuna species
- Fork length (in cm)
- Name and address of recoverer
- Date and location of catch
Rewards are offered during the course of the programme to encourage people who find tagged fish to report them to RTTP-IO headquarters in Seychelles or to the nearest tag collection centre. To return a tag, please download the relevant tag return form below and follow the instructions listed: