CSS Dolphin Tagging Study Continues Research

The amazing information the SCDNR study generated inspired anglers to request that the research be continued. The Cooperative Science Services, LLC, a private fisheries research consulting company, was founded by Don Hammond to continue the dolphin research project. Conservation-minded fishermen were willing to donate the necessary funding to allow the study to continue as a private research program starting in 2006.

The private research effort was successful in its initial year with 1,500 dolphin tagged by more than 260 anglers fishing aboard 143 boats. The growth in tagging continued in 2007 reaching a record level of 2,485 dolphin reported tagged. However, the 2008 spike in the price of fuel and the slow-down in the economy which resulted in less free time from work for anglers to fish, took its toll on the tagging activity, with 1,350 fish marked that year. This brings the number of dolphin tagged in the seven years to 10,000 fish which involved more than 1,200 anglers and 432 different boats.

Reported recoveries resulting from the 2006 through 2008 tagging activity numbered 151 fish. Seven of these fish were recovered more than 1,000 miles from their release sites, including such places as Venezuela, Cuba and the south side of Puerto Rico. There were 13 other fish recaptured more than 700 miles from their release points clearly showing the highly migratory nature of these great game fish. The fastest rate of travel exhibited was 130 miles per day set by a dolphin recovered in 2004. From 2006 through 2008, 12 recaptured fish have averaged traveling more than 50 miles per day, straight-line distance. One fish showed that dolphin could travel almost the full length of the U.S. Atlantic territorial waters used by the species (Key West to Nantucket) in less than two months. The speed at which these fish can travel is impressive but the scope of their international dispersal from the U.S. East Coast challenges the multi-stock concept currently held by fishery managers for the species. less ↑