Tagged bay snapper recaptured nine years on

5:13 AM Thu 15 Jan 2009 GMT

'Snapper'

An undersize snapper returned to the water in 1999 has been recaptured by a recreational angler nearly nine years after its release.

The snapper was caught, tagged and released on 27 December 1999 in Corio Bay, Geelong. It measured 22.8 cm and was caught in five metres of water during a scientific assessment of the Port Phillip Bay snapper population, jointly funded by Fisheries Victoria and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. The tagged snapper was subsequently recaptured at 70 cm in 18 metres, off Carrum on 21 November late last year. The recreational angler reported it to scientists at the Fisheries Research Branch at Queenscliff.

During the 3,242 days at liberty the snapper had grown 47 centimetres and increased in weight to approximately 4.5 kilograms. The recapture confirms that if anglers carefully return undersized fish to the water, other people can enjoy catching them again as a much larger fish in the future. This is a great way anglers can contribute to the management of Victoria's fisheries resources.

Recapture reports like this help fisheries scientists understand what is happening to fish populations, particularly in relation to growth and movement. Anglers who catch tagged fish should write down the date and location of the capture, the fish's length and the tag number.

If anglers intend to keep the fish, which they are entitled to do if it is a legal size, they should retain the tag and freeze the fish frame.

If the tag does not display a phone number, anglers can report the recapture to 1800 652 598 or VICTAG on 1800 677 620.

by VIC Dept Primary Industries

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Tagged bay snapper recaptured nine years on

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