Bluefin Tuna Catch & Release

Charter captains and private sport fishing anglers are invited to join the ATLANTIC TUNA PROJECT. Through the promotion of catching, releasing and tagging of Atlantic bluefin, yellowfin and bigeye tuna the free program is promoting a culture of catch, tag and release in the recreational fishing community and contributing to the scientific data to further understand the behaviors of the Northern Atlantic bluefin, yellowfin and bigeye tunas. The tags and tag data are coordinated by NOAA's Cooperative Tagging Center located at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center.

HOW TO JOIN:
Register for your free account here on www.savethebluefin.com.

ORDER FREE TAGS
Request your free tags from NOAA's Cooperative Tagging Center by email (tagging@noaa.gov) or phone (1-800-437-3936).

On your emails please also cc savethebluefintuna@gmail.com so we may track your requests.

Include your shipping address and quantity (#of tags) you want. 

It can take 2-3 weeks to get your tags.

CHARTER BOAT PROGRAM:
Charter boats who join the free ATLANTIC TUNA PROJECT can reward their anglers who agree to catch, tag and release bluefin, yellowfin and bigeye tunas with care packages. Tagging Member care packages contain items from program sponsors such as Guy Harvey Sportswear, AFTCO, Hogy Lures, West Marine, Pure Fishing and others. Here's a video of the care packages being assembled for the start of the 2010 season. Care packages are distributed free of charge to participating charter boats who not only tag but also return the tagging cards while supplies last. There may be shipping charges for long distance requests and re-fills.

CHARTER BOAT PROGRAM RULES:
1.) Tag cards must be returned prompt after tagging.  Angler must tag & release tuna in good condition.
2.) Limit (1) Tagging Member care package per angler, per trip, per season.
3.) You must be aboard a participating and approved charter boat to receive the Tagging Member care package.
4.) Atlantic Tuna Project can revoke a charter boat's membership for any reason.
5.) Care Package contents based on availability and subject to change without notice.
6.) Shipping and handling charges may apply for refills of the Angler Care Packages for long distance requests.
7.) Tag cards must be filled out and returned to the CTC for processing prior to refills on care package shipments.
8.) Captains must make reasonable efforts to post images or videos of their customers tagging tuna to their SaveTheBluefin.com web page on www.savethebluefin.com or email photos of tagging anglers to savethebluefintuna@gmail.com..

PRIVATE ANGLERS FREE ENROLLMENT:
Simply register for a free account here on www.SaveTheBluefin.com. Anglers get your own web page to document your tuna tag and release experiences. Any type of content may be uploaded such as videos, images and text. Tips, how to information and suggestions are all welcome as we build an online database of learning and reference for practicing and promoting good catch - tag - release for bluefin and yellowfin tuna. Private anglers are not eligible to receive care packages at this time.

TAGGING GEAR
You will need a tag stick with the proper head to place tags in tuna. You can make a tag stick or purchase one for ~$60 from most major fishing tackle retailers. We recommend AFTCO's 6 foot tapered tag stick that comes in gold anodized or black finish. Make sure you specify tag sticks with the head code; TS2. The AFTCO code is TSHEAD2SS. Here's an image from the AFTCO Catalogue;

WHERE IS THE TAGGING DATA STORED?
All tagging data is kept with NOAA's Cooperative Tagging Center in Miami Florida. Any data from this program is added to NOAA's databases and used for research. Aggregate reports on participating network boats may be used for reporting, but any individual tag reports and captures are strickly confidential. The sole purpose of this program is to promote catch, tag and release among the angling community and to provide easy access into helping with conservation and research. The more data NOAA has on our great tunas, the more we can protect our fish on the international stages. If you have any questions or concerns about your tags, data usage or any other concerns please email tagging@noaa.gov or savethebluefintuna@gmail.com.


SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE:
We have unique opportunities available to place your company's products in the hands of some of the best charter captains and anglers in the world. Visit the Sponsor page for details on how you can help support this all important program.