As part of a project on data deficient fish species, the NAFC Marine Centre’s Science and Technology department has tagged and released a range of different demersal fish species at various locations around Shetland.
Plaice, lemon sole, monkfish and megrim have all been tagged as part of the industry led initiative. A small reward plus the value of the fish will be paid to those who return tagged fish. All returned tags will also be entered into an annual lottery with the chance of winning £100.
Funded by the Scottish Government, the project runs for two years and involves gathering biological and fisheries information on a wide range of data deficient species.
Fisheries scientist, Paul Macdonald, said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who catches a tagged fish. Ideally we would like the tagged fish returned intact with details of when and where it was captured. Information from tag returns will allow us to build up a picture of fish movement and also provide valuable insight into growth rates.”
The data gathered during the study will be made available to science and industry experts to assist in the monitoring, assessment and management of the “commercially important stocks”.
Anyone with a tagged fish can email nafc.tags@uhi.ac.uk or telephone 01595 772000.
