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Satellite tracking of Bluefin Tuna

The first pop-up satellite tag for the New Zealand Pacific bluefin tuna research program was deployed near the Hokitika Trench in August 2006. Results from electronic tagging of bluefin during 2007 have clearly demonstrated that these fish survive capture and release.  All fifteen tags deployed on Pacific bluefin reported, showing considerable movement around New Zealand and the south Tasman Sea for periods up to 6 months

In all 23 tags were deployed in 2008. They were programmed to stay on the Bluefin tuna for up to a year. All fish shed their tags early.  This is disappointing because the new nylon tag heads, which worked well the previous year, appear to be letting go.  There has been a delay publishing these results with the rights to the first paper with researchers from Stanford University.

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