FWC asks anglers to help with red snapper research
News Release
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Media contact: Carli Segelson, 727-896-8626
This project will provide fisheries researchers and managers
with vital catch-and-release survival information needed for
assessing the status of this important recreational fishery.
FWRI biologists will approach anglers at public areas along the
Gulf coast of Florida, including boat ramps, fishing piers and
marinas, to request participation in the study. These biologists
will distribute survey cards designed to collect detailed
information on fishing trips targeting red snapper. This
information includes where red snapper are caught and released, the
type of fishing equipment used, and the condition of the fish when
released. The data will provide vital information that will help
improve the management of this popular recreational fishery.
Anyone fishing for red snapper in Florida can also request a
postage-paid survey card in the mail, by emailing their name and
address to FishStats@MyFWC.com. To
download a data
sheet, visit MyFWC.com/Research/Saltwater;
click on "Recreational Fisheries" and select the article "FWC
Enlists Anglers to Assist Reef Fish Studies."
In addition to completing survey cards, anglers, vessel captains
and mates can assist with reef fish research by reporting tagged
fish to the Angler Tag Return Hotline at 800-367-4461. Since 2009,
FWRI biologists have been tagging and releasing reef fish back into
the Gulf of Mexico in an effort to evaluate the survival of fish
caught and released with hook-and-line recreational fishing gear.
Previous studies estimate that approximately 60 percent of red
snapper survive when released after being caught on hook-and-line.
A similar tagging program began this year on the Atlantic coast. By
reporting tagged fish, anglers will help to improve the accuracy of
estimated release survival rates for this species.
For this project, biologists are inserting yellow or orange tags
near the dorsal fin of the fish. Each tag has a unique number
printed on the side. When reporting a tagged fish, anglers should
provide the species of fish, tag number, date and time of capture,
where the fish was caught, fish length, type of bait used and
whether the fish was kept or released. If the fish is released,
anglers should leave the tag in the fish so biologists can continue
to collect data.
For more information on this and other
recreational fisheries research surveys, visit MyFWC.com/Research/Saltwater
and click on "Recreational Fisheries."
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