University of
Florida Researchers Need Your Help!
Researchers with the UF Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program are
currently tagging amberjacks to examine the seasonal pattern and rates of
movement of this fish in the Gulf of Mexico. This project is being done in
collaboration with recreational guides, and recreational and commercial
fishers.
To date there have been some interesting results. Although some
amberjack move great distances, most tend not to move much. An interesting
observation has been that amberjack caught in deeper water (greater than 150
ft), appear to have the ability to “self vent”.
They have a strong thick swim bladder that is reinforced by a strong rib
cage. When rapidly brought to the surface and the swim bladder bursts, only a
small hole is produced that releases gas out the gill openings and mouth (sort
of like a blow out valve). Under
similar conditions, reef fish with thinner, weaker swim bladders tend to
rupture like an over inflated balloon and flood the body cavity with case. This bloating can prevent the fish from being
able to swim back to the bottom.
Fish are tagged with a yellow external anchor tag. If you catch a tagged amberjack, please take
note of:
1. Tag number (a four
digit number)
2. Date and location of
capture (GPS latitude and longitude coordinate would be great)
3. Measure the fish fork
length to the nearest mm or 1/8th inch
