Research Document - 1999/138
Report of the 1998-1999 4VWX Herring and Mackerel Tagging Program and Plans for 1999-2000.
By S. Paul
Abstract
A comprehensive tagging program was implemented by the Pelagics Research Council in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to provide essential information on stock intermixing and migration patterns of 4WX herring and 4VWX mackerel. In 1998-1999, 26,230 herring were tagged on major spawning grounds and from an overwintering aggregation. In addition, 10,859 mackerel were tagged in two locations along the southern and eastern coasts of Nova Scotia.
During the initial year of recoveries, tagged herring were recaptured near the application site. Preliminary short-term returns show that herring may be staying on the spawning ground for longer than the assumed 7-10 days of spawning activity. Tagged mackerel were recaptured along the southern and eastern coasts of Nova Scotia throughout the summer and fall.
It is recommended that tagging be performed during designated tagging trips - where three times more tags, on average, can be applied during a designated trip than during a regular fishing trip. Future tagging experiments for herring should be conducted on the spawning grounds, on overwintering aggregations, and on summer mixing areas of interest. Juvenile and adult mackerel tagging should continue, and results studied in association with hydrographic conditions, which are related to migration patterns. Tagging mortality, tag shedding and tag recovery studies would provide important information affecting tag return rates.
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