October 15, 2014
Please be advised that during the next reopening for the 2014 PEI Commercial Halibut fishery, we are asking fishers to be cautious and if they catch a halibut with a satelite pop up tag (see picture below), please return to the water with the least amount of harm.
These pop up tags were recently placed on large halibut (>130cm) through the Life History and Population Genetics of Halibut in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence project and are programmed to pop off and submit signal next August 2015. The tag will reveal information regarding where the tag travelled along with other important information collected on its journey. A total of 18 pop ups will be placed on halibut around PEI this fall.
Photo: Satelite pop up tag placed on local halibut
It should also be noted that small pink anchor t tags have been placed on hundreds of halibut since 2013. If fishers find these on halibut, please report them for a small prize and chance to win up to $1000!
Please don't hesitate to contact Laura Ramsay at 393-2281 or Travis James at 629-4821 for more information!