THE father of a vessel owner who was involved with the tagging and release of bluefin tuna has attributed the success of the project to his son’s skill as a skipper.
Bluefin tuna have travelled to the Island from as far as their Mediterranean spawning grounds, according to new data from a pioneering tagging project.
The project aims to better understand their movement and behaviour and began last year. A further seven fish were recently tagged by Marine Resources staff using state-of-the-art satellite devices which will be on the fish for up to two years before detaching.
The boat used for the capture, tag and release of the tuna was the Anna III, a ten-metre catamaran which is a purpose-built charter angling vessel, owned by Oliver Heart.
Tony Heart, of Fishing Jersey, said: ‘I must say it is Oliver’s experience and skill as a skipper that made this project a success.
‘The [Jersey] fisheries along with the scientists from Exeter University commissioned us and the boat to carry out scientific experiments on bluefin tuna.
‘Both Tom and Lucy, the scientists, said she was one of the best, if not the best, boats they had been on in British waters.
Mr Heart said his son would have spent at least £6,000 on rods and reel equipment for the project.
‘Before we could undertake this project the boat, equipment and crew all had to be inspected and deemed adequate for the job. Oliver, at his own expense, had to fit extra-strong rod sockets, outriggers and supply all the strong rods, reels and special line. Each rod and reel being worth at least £1,000, of which he purchased at least six,’ added Mr Heart.
Alex Plaster, marine science and research officer, said: ‘Two of the tags we deployed last year popped off within reach for us to go and collect them – one was 70 miles west of Jersey and the other just west of Les Minquiers.
‘These fish are travelling incredible distances and with this satellite data we can calculate the migration route of the animal. The Norman Le Brocq [Fisheries vessel] collected one of these using tracking equipment and we also had two volunteers from the Jersey fishing fleet who collected the other tag.’
Bluefin tuna are a protected species under Jersey’s Wildlife Law.
Mr Heart added: ‘I have been a charter skipper for 33 years in Jersey and never thought I would see these fish in my lifetime.’
