"Development of Tagging Methods for Monkfish, Lophius americanus"

Jonathan Grabowski, Collaborating Scientist	Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Larry Alade, Collaborating Scientist	NOAA Fisheries
Anne Richards, Principal Investigator	Northeast Fisheries Science Center
John Our, Industry Partner	F/V Miss Fitz
Graham Sherwood, Collaborating Scientist	Gulf of Maine Research Institute

A controlled experiment to test effects of tagging on survival of monkfish and to investigate tag retention. Thirty-four monkfish ranging in size from 40-78 cm were captured in gillnets on Dec. 11-15, 2006, and transported to the lab as described above except that time from capture to release in the lab was reduced to a maximum of 12 hr and Amquell was used in the on-board tank and transport coolers. The transport coolers were also dosed with Slime Coat at the recommended concentration. The fish were held for up to six weeks in two tanks (2600 gallon) supplied with ambient (5- 8 oC) running seawater. Eighteen monkfish were tagged 4-10 days after their arrival in the laboratory, the remaining 16 fish were left untagged to serve as controls. Nine tagged fish and 8 control fish were placed in each tank. We attempted to match controls and tagged fish for size and condition. We offered food (squid or capelin) daily; however, the food was rarely taken. The experiment was terminated 40 days after the final batch of monkfish was tagged. Remaining monkfish were euthanized, released or held for longer term observation. Survival curves of tagged and control fish were compared using Proc Lifetest (SAS System, Allison 1995)

final report

Related dataset: monk_tag_surgery