Persistence is the key to tagging success
© Confederación Española de Pesca Maritima de Recreo Responsable
We were unable to locate any bluefin tuna today, but we did tag 20 albacore (as shown above).
© WWF MEDPO
WWF are tracking bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean Sea to learn more about this amazing species and how better to protect it from extinction. Learn more
It is 10 AM. While debating the future of the fishery with the anglers, about their ideas to protect the bluefin and how the recreational fishermen are now changing their minds to become more sustainable, another albacore volunteers to collaborate with the scientific tagging programme.
Carefully and swiftly we insert the conventional tag in its back and release it. The tagging team (biologists and anglers) are now more experienced and the tagging operation runs like clockwork.
The day passes, with more albacores tagged hour by hour and at 7 PM we get back to Moraira. Around 20 albacores have been tagged but not one bluefin tuna was even in sight.
Although somewhat frustrated, we are determined to keep looking for the bluefin tuna and start planning our next expedition.
Nobody ever said this thing was going to be easy!
Dr Pablo Cermeño, bluefin tuna officer with the WWF Mediterranean Programme sends his notes from the Mediterranean Sea where WWF is tagging bluefin tuna to gain a better understanding of this amazing species' migration routes and behaviour. See all updates.