Gray FishTag Research successfully deployed a satellite tag on a swordfish.
The Cayman Swordfish Challenge recently invited GFTR Fisheries Scientist, Mr. Travis Moore, down to attend and participate in the 2016 tournament as part of an ongoing research project to study the behavior and migration patterns of swordfish. The tournament and sponsors (The Flowers Group, Cayman Airways, Cayman Islands Government, Kirk Group, The Barcadere) have been working with members of the GFTR Scientific Committee and Mr. Moore for the past several years develop and better understand the newly discovered swordfish fishery in the waters off the islands. GFTR Scientist have previously deployed satellite tags programed with 30-60 day durations, but this was the first time a tag with a 365-day duration time were to be deployed.
Travis Moore traveled to the Cayman Islands along with GFTR Board Member, Capt. Bouncer Smith and mate Abie Raymond. While there, Capt. Bouncer and Travis gave radio interviews to discuss the fishery, answer questions from callers, as well as discuss the science behind satellite tagging technology and the research efforts of GFTR.
The tournament fishing took place from two main locations, Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac and allowed for both day and night time fishing. The committee boat with Capt. Bouncer, Abie, and Travis were fishing in the waters off Cayman Brac.
The team left the docks in the morning to head out 40 miles offshore to an area where the water is about 2,000 ft. deep and the swordfish bite has been hot. While the anglers were reeling up the deep line to adjust the bait depth during the second deep drop, a swordfish struck the bait, hooked up, and the action began. The committee boat used an electric reel to reduce fight time and build-up of lactic acid in the fish's muscle, in an effort to reduce post-release mortality. After about a 20 minute fight, the swordfish reached the surface. Travis evaluated the fish and determined that it was a candidate for a 365-day duration satellite tag (PSAT). The satellite tag was attached along with a GFTR conventional tag. The swordfish had a lower jaw fork length (LJFL) of 61 inches and was estimated at 105 pounds. After tagging, the fish was held alongside the boat with it in gear to allow oxygenated water to pass over the gills and revive it. The swordfish was subsequently released and was observed swimming in a healthy condition and diving back down.
The tournament and satellite tagging was a huge success. A total of 10 swordfish were caught for the tournament, with 8 swordfish from Cayman Brac, and 2 from Grand Cayman. The largest from Cayman Brac was 220 lbs., and from Grand Cayman the largest was 231 lbs., which was the largest fish for the tournament.
We would like to thank the Cayman Swordfish Challenge, the tournament sponsors, and Captain Bouncer Smith for their support and advancement of an exciting fishery and the science behind it.
Travis Moore traveled to the Cayman Islands along with GFTR Board Member, Capt. Bouncer Smith and mate Abie Raymond. While there, Capt. Bouncer and Travis gave radio interviews to discuss the fishery, answer questions from callers, as well as discuss the science behind satellite tagging technology and the research efforts of GFTR.
The tournament fishing took place from two main locations, Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac and allowed for both day and night time fishing. The committee boat with Capt. Bouncer, Abie, and Travis were fishing in the waters off Cayman Brac.
The team left the docks in the morning to head out 40 miles offshore to an area where the water is about 2,000 ft. deep and the swordfish bite has been hot. While the anglers were reeling up the deep line to adjust the bait depth during the second deep drop, a swordfish struck the bait, hooked up, and the action began. The committee boat used an electric reel to reduce fight time and build-up of lactic acid in the fish's muscle, in an effort to reduce post-release mortality. After about a 20 minute fight, the swordfish reached the surface. Travis evaluated the fish and determined that it was a candidate for a 365-day duration satellite tag (PSAT). The satellite tag was attached along with a GFTR conventional tag. The swordfish had a lower jaw fork length (LJFL) of 61 inches and was estimated at 105 pounds. After tagging, the fish was held alongside the boat with it in gear to allow oxygenated water to pass over the gills and revive it. The swordfish was subsequently released and was observed swimming in a healthy condition and diving back down.
The tournament and satellite tagging was a huge success. A total of 10 swordfish were caught for the tournament, with 8 swordfish from Cayman Brac, and 2 from Grand Cayman. The largest from Cayman Brac was 220 lbs., and from Grand Cayman the largest was 231 lbs., which was the largest fish for the tournament.
We would like to thank the Cayman Swordfish Challenge, the tournament sponsors, and Captain Bouncer Smith for their support and advancement of an exciting fishery and the science behind it.
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