Forum/Offshore Fishing/Amazing BFT Study from University of Maine

Amazing BFT Study from University of Maine

980 views·33 replies·by Roccus7··

This satellite tag was deployed on a 109” (276.86 cm) Atlantic bluefin tuna in Canada in September, 2024. The tag was programmed for a 12-month duration, but popped off a little early around 11 months. This particular bluefin made quite the impression! This fish crossed the entire Atlantic in just under 2 months, then entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar in May 2025! We also observed that this fish stuck around the Med for the month of June, and then left in July to make its journey back towards the Northwest Atlantic! It is pretty amazing that Atlantic bluefin tuna can make these long journeys across the Atlantic in such a short amount of time! What an amazing opportunity we have to track these outstanding fish!

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AdmiralOriginal Crew21,694 postsSince 2018

MakoMattMODMar 5#2

View attachment 112690

This satellite tag was deployed on a 109” (276.86 cm) Atlantic bluefin tuna in Canada in September, 2024. The tag was programmed for a 12-month duration, but popped off a little early around 11 months. This particular bluefin made quite the impression! This fish crossed the entire Atlantic in just under 2 months, then entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar in May 2025! We also observed that this fish stuck around the Med for the month of June, and then left in July to make its journey back towards the Northwest Atlantic! It is pretty amazing that Atlantic bluefin tuna can make these long journeys across the Atlantic in such a short amount of time! What an amazing opportunity we have to track these outstanding fish!

IIRC it was not that long ago the thinking between ICCAT and NOAA was that there were two distinct, and different Atlantic BFT, east and west, that didn’t cross the oceans and intermix. I think it was mostly ICCAT’s stance so as to not have to follow NOAA’s quota’s???

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CaptainOriginal Crew2,076 postsSince 2018

Roccus7MODMar 5#3

IIRC it was not that long ago the thinking between ICCAT and NOAA was that there were two distinct, and different Atlantic BFT, east and west, that didn’t cross the oceans and intermix. I think it was mostly ICCAT’s stance so as to not have to follow NOAA’s quota’s???

Yes, used to be said that there were 3 separate populations, Western Atlantic, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. There was some talk that Gulf of Mexico was a separate population too.

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AdmiralOriginal Crew21,694 postsSince 2018

MakoMattMODMar 5#4

Yes, used to be said that there were 3 separate populations, Western Atlantic, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. There was some talk that Gulf of Mexico was a separate population too.

👍 yes, I remember that now.

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CaptainOriginal Crew2,076 postsSince 2018

OVERBOREDFREEMar 6#5

If it were up to ICCAT, NOAA and NMFS there would be no recreational fishing for BFT!

Current US regs are designed to sustain and grow the GBFT fishery at the expense of recreational fishermen.

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Captain4,156 postsSince 2021

MakoMattMODMay 7#6

Here’s another amazing BFT satellite tag travel data……..

“This satellite tag was deployed on a 111 inch (281.94 cm) Atlantic bluefin tuna in Canada during October of 2022. The tag stayed on the fish for just under 9 months traveling down the East Coast and eventually entering into the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of America in Feburary 2023, where it stays for March & April, presumably to spawn. After the fish leaves the Gulf, it heads right back up to Canada. The tag popped off of the fish in June of 2023 very close to where the fish was initially tagged. This fish traveled 10,016.25 cumulative miles. How cool is that!”

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CaptainOriginal Crew2,076 postsSince 2018

OVERBOREDFREEMay 7#7

What is also amazing is BFT are a relatively inshore species. That tagged fish traveled mostly along the canyons presumably following the Gulf stream with its abundance of forage. Interesting enough, that fish hugged the South Florida coast where I have rarely, if ever, heard of a giant BFT being CC caught!

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Captain4,156 postsSince 2021

MakoMattMODMay 7#8

Large BFT move relatively close to the Florida coast, moving through the Bahamas, March through October, with the best fishing around now, in May.

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CaptainOriginal Crew2,076 postsSince 2018

Snapprhead27FREEMay 7#9

Still a species I'd love to go for. When I go to Key West, we get our fair share of blackfin tuna, which are a blast to catch on spinning gear. Just have to watch out for the taxman!!

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Captain4,988 postsSince 2020

MakoMattMODMay 7#10

Still a species I'd love to go for. When I go to Key West, we get our fair share of blackfin tuna, which are a blast to catch on spinning gear. Just have to watch out for the taxman!!

Bluefin Tuna can often be found relatively close to the beach off Long Island.

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CaptainOriginal Crew2,076 postsSince 2018

Snapprhead27FREEMay 7#11

Bluefin Tuna can often be found relatively close to the beach off Long Island.

I remember seeing a video last year, I think from Shinnecock Inlet they were right there.

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Captain4,988 postsSince 2020

MakoMattMODMay 7#12

I remember seeing a video last year, I think from Shinnecock Inlet they were right there.

I think I know the video you’re talking about……. It was Giant BFT breaking water in the inlet?

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CaptainOriginal Crew2,076 postsSince 2018

Snapprhead27FREEMay 7#13

I think I know the video you’re talking about……. It was Giant BFT breaking water in the inlet?

Yup

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Captain4,988 postsSince 2020

MakoMattMODMay 7#14

Yup

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CaptainOriginal Crew2,076 postsSince 2018

longcastFREEMay 8#15

Bluefin Tuna can often be found relatively close to the beach off Long Island.

A bunch of days out east fishing for bass and they were mixed in. Awesome spectacle in 20 feet of water! At least I will be armed this year for those encounters.

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AdmiralOriginal Crew20,411 postsSince 2019

MakoMattMODMay 8#16

A bunch of days out east fishing for bass and they were mixed in. Awesome spectacle in 20 feet of water! At least I will be armed this year for those encounters.

If you haven’t already applied for one…….. you/boat need to apply for a Highly Migratory Species Permit. I’m assuming for an Atlantic HMS Angling Permit. You can do this online…………..

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Permits

The Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management Division issues federal vessel permits for commercial and recreational fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of America* (formerly Gulf of Mexico), and Caribbean Sea.

www.fisheries.noaa.gov

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CaptainOriginal Crew2,076 postsSince 2018

longcastFREEMay 8#17

If you haven’t already applied for one…….. you/boat need to apply for a Highly Migratory Species Permit. I’m assuming for an Atlantic HMS Angling Permit. You can do this online…………..

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Permits

The Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management Division issues federal vessel permits for commercial and recreational fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of America* (formerly Gulf of Mexico), and Caribbean Sea.

www.fisheries.noaa.gov

I was aware of it, just have not done it yet. Waiting on tackle to be finished etc. Have heard dock talk about them already, but nobody confirming, at least in the circle I speak with.

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AdmiralOriginal Crew20,411 postsSince 2019

MakoMattMODMay 8#18

I was aware of it, just have not done it yet. Waiting on tackle to be finished etc. Have heard dock talk about them already, but nobody confirming, at least in the circle I speak with.

Loose lips sink ships

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CaptainOriginal Crew2,076 postsSince 2018

longcastFREEMay 8#19

Loose lips sink ships

Ehh, I share intel on a regular. Not many boats out there yet, especially the size you want to be on for tuna runs. Marina is still bare.

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AdmiralOriginal Crew20,411 postsSince 2019

OVERBOREDFREEMay 8#20

When it comes to all things pelagic, your only as good as your Intel! Learned that early on especially when your friend on the dragger tells you he's hauling back at 9am!

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Captain4,156 postsSince 2021

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