Fishing for Science

We all want better fishing, and getting it means we need good fisheries science to dictate catch and size limits, seasons, and harvest rates. How do we get that science? In many cases, tagging programs are the answer. One such program which doesn’t get the attention it rates is the Dolphin Research Program (www.dolphintagging.homestead.com). If you fish offshore and you like catching mahi, this is a program you need to know about.

The Dolphin Research Program was initiated by the South Carolina DNR, back when such agencies had actual budgets. These days, of course, that’s not the case. Luckily, the program has managed to stay afloat via private funding. During 2010 it was responsible for tagging 1,748 mahi-mahi, and 38 previously-tagged fish were recovered.

These recoveries give us some very interesting data. By comparing tagged and captured lengths of the mahi, for example, we now know that these fish grow between a half an inch and one inch per week – yes, per week! That means the little guy you threw back in July could rate as table fair, a mere month later. We also now know that these fish are major-league wanderers, with some of those tagged in Florida popping up as far off as New York, and others near Puerto Rico.

Naturally, the guys running this program could use a cash infusion to up their efforts—but that’s not where Joe Average Angler comes in. Instead, we can help out by (what else?) going fishing. Just arm yourself with a tagging stick and tags (available from the Program, just visit the website for more info), head offshore, and tag all of the mahi you release. It’s fun, easy, and a way we can help contribute to the betterment of the fishery.