Fast-growing kingfish - Department of Primary Industries · Fast-growing kingfish AustrAliAn...
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14 facebook.com/BlueWatermagazine A yellowtail kingfish originally tagged in November at Kiama, on the NSW South Coast, by Drew Egan aboard The Prince, was recently recaptured at the same location after having been at liberty for 168 days. Recaptures such as this are quite normal, with many kingfish spending considerable periods of time in certain locations or general areas. What was interesting about this fish, however, was its amazing growth rate. When the kingfish was first tagged and released it was reported to have an overall length of 73cm, but when recaptured in May 2014 by local angler Andy Clark, the fish had reached a total length of 97cm! This is a remarkable increase of 24cm in total length over a period of just under six months. This discovery subsequently prompted telephone calls to the release and recapture anglers for confirmation that the lengths of the fish had been accurately measured. The anglers confirmed that the kingfish had been measured on fish- measuring ‘brag mats’ before being released, saying they were confident the measurements were correct. Having done this, we then delved into the database to look at other growth rates of recaptured kingfish tagged under the program to see how this fish fitted into the picture of other kingfish recaptured after a similar period of time. The database showed that up until the end of June this year over 2220 tagged kingfish were reported recaptured. Of those, there have been 36 fish tagged between 50 and 80cm in length that were at liberty for between 160 and 190 days. From those fish, the greatest increase in length was a kingfish that had grown 23cm having been released off Ulladulla in March 1988 at a length of 56cm and recaptured at ‘The Banks’ in September after 176 days at 79cm. This shows that the recently caught fish comes out on top, but only just, with a number of other fish clocking up growth in the high teens after being at liberty for around six months. The average growth for the 36 fish was just over 10cm, which is still pretty impressive for a six-month time span. This demonstrates that the average kingfish growth rate is relatively fast, with some individuals showing very impressive growth. The NSW DPI Game Fish Tagging Program issues tags free of charge to individuals and fishing clubs and works in close association with the NSW Game Fishing Association and the Game Fishing Association of Australia. Over 410,000 fish have been tagged under the program so far. The program is run using funds from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust. If you would like to get involved in the program please phone (02) 4424 7417 or email [email protected]. – Phil Bolton Fisheries Manager, NSW DPI Fast-growing kingfish AUSTRALIAN TAGGING PROGRAM When this yellowtail kingfish was released in November last year it measured 73cm, but when recaptured just under six months later it had reached 97cm, showing remarkable growth for such a short period. This arcle is provided courtesy of BlueWater Boats & Sportsfishing magazine. It originally appeared in Issue 105, 2014. Copyright © 2014 BlueWater Publishing
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A yellowtail kingfish originally tagged in November at Kiama, on the NSW South Coast, by Drew Egan aboard The Prince, was recently recaptured at the same location after having been at liberty for 168 days. Recaptures such as this are quite normal, with many kingfish spending considerable periods of time in certain locations or general areas. What was interesting about this fish, however, was its amazing growth rate.
When the kingfish was first tagged and released it was reported to have an overall length of 73cm, but when recaptured in May 2014 by local angler Andy Clark, the fish had reached a total length of 97cm! This is a remarkable increase of 24cm in total length over a period of just under six months.
This discovery subsequently prompted telephone calls to the release and recapture anglers for confirmation that the lengths of the fish had been accurately measured.
The anglers confirmed that the kingfish had been measured on fish-measuring ‘brag mats’ before being released, saying they were confident the measurements were correct. Having done this, we then delved into the database to look at other growth rates of recaptured kingfish tagged under the program to see how this fish fitted into the picture of other kingfish recaptured after a similar period of time.
The database showed that up until the end of June this year over 2220 tagged kingfish were reported recaptured. Of those, there have been 36 fish tagged between 50 and 80cm in length that were at liberty for between 160 and 190 days. From those fish, the greatest increase in length was a kingfish that had grown 23cm having been released off Ulladulla in March 1988 at a length of 56cm and recaptured at ‘The Banks’ in September after 176 days at 79cm. This shows that the recently caught fish comes
out on top, but only just, with a number of other fish clocking up growth in the high teens after being at liberty for around six months. The average growth for the 36 fish was just over 10cm, which is still pretty impressive for a six-month time span. This demonstrates that the average kingfish growth rate is relatively fast, with some individuals showing very impressive growth.
The NSW DPI Game Fish Tagging Program issues tags free of charge to individuals and fishing clubs and works in close association with the NSW Game Fishing Association and the Game Fishing Association of Australia. Over 410,000 fish have been tagged under the program so far. The program is run using funds from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust. If you would like to get involved in the program please phone (02) 4424 7417 or email [email protected]. – Phil BoltonFisheries Manager, NSW DPI
Fast-growing kingfishAustrAliAn tAgging progrAm
When this yellowtail kingfish was released in November last
year it measured 73cm, but when recaptured just under six
months later it had reached 97cm, showing remarkable growth for
such a short period.
This article is provided courtesy of BlueWater Boats & Sportsfishing magazine.
It originally appeared in Issue 105, 2014.
Copyright © 2014 BlueWater Publishing
