Recreational Anglers Aid Bluefin Tuna Population Assessment

The quota for western bluefin tuna has been increased due to a unique project that enlists the help of recreational and commercial tuna fishermen. By taking fin clips of caught tuna, researchers can analyze the DNA profiles of closely related family members to estimate the population size of spawning, adult tuna. This increase in quota is expected to avoid closures to the recreational fishery, and recreational tuna fishermen have been crucial to this work, providing more fin clippings for juvenile fish.