GONADS WANTED!!

Bluefin Tuna Gonads Wanted!!

Bluefin Tuna Sampling Program

Project Goals:
• Collect Otoliths and Gonads from bluefin tuna to develop current age and growth profiles and to characterize size/ age at maturity. Currently, stock assessments utilize age data from purse seine fisheries collected in the 1970’s for fish ages 1-3. Growth for larger size classes of fish are estimated from a small number of individuals. Age at maturity has been estimated based on GOMex longline bycatch, not gonads!
• Identify the mixing rate (East vs. West Atlantic) and stock structure of Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Maine, and to identify differences in rates across years and between cohorts. First studies showed high mixing rates in the mid-Atlantic Bight and low mixing in the Gulf of Maine. Gulf of Maine results so far are based on small numbers of fish sampled over short time periods. We seek to significantly expand this dataset to establish patterns across years.
How can you help? WE NEED TUNA HEADS and GONADS!

Contact Walt Golet 207/351-5413 (walter.golet@maine.edu) or Molly Lutcavage 978/283-0269 with questions regarding this program
Otoliths are located towards the base of the skull. To ensure they stay with the head, remove the head about 4 inches back from the eye (see photo). This is where most dealers will make the cut.

Molly Lutcavage and Walt Golet need local fishermen’s help in collecting important samples of otoliths and gonads from bluefin tuna caught this season. These samples will aid in research that will help answer important questions about the bluefin stocks. Please go to the following link to find out how to help in this effort!

Click here for more info on how you can Help