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Project E.3.a - Investigate geographic variation in the movements, behavior, and habitat utilization of yellowfin tuna in the EPO

01 Jan 2020 - 31 Dec 2021

Program(s) in charge: Life History and Behavior Group
Funded
Objectives
Evaluate geographic variation in movements, behavior, and habitat utilization of yellowfin tuna via analyses of existing archival tag data sets from several discrete areas of the EPO
Background
  • Yellowfin exhibit restricted movements; tagged fish are normally recovered within about 1000 nm of point of release
  • Future stock assessments of yellowfin should be spatially structured, because there are probably at least three stocks in the EPO
  • Understanding movements, dispersion, and mixing between stocks, as well as behavior and habitat utilization, is essential for understanding population dynamics, estimating exploitation rates within stocks, and preventing localized depletions
Relevance for management
Spatially-structured stock assessments based on geographically-explicit life history parameters will provide a more accurate basis for the staff’s management advice
Duration
12 months
Workplan and status
  • Several existing archival tag data sets from discrete areas of the EPO will be analyzed and compared to describe geographic variation in movements, behavior, and habitat utilization
  • Historical conventional tag data sets for yellowfin from the EPO will also be included in the evaluations of movements and dispersion
Deliverables
  • Manuscript for publication in a scientific journal
Updated date: 01 Mar 2021
Progress summary for the reporting period
A manuscript has been completed.
Challenges and key lessons learnt
  • Schaefer, K.M. and Fuller, D.W., 2022. Horizontal movements, utilization distributions, and mixing rates of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) tagged and released with archival tags in six discrete areas of the eastern and central Pacific Ocean. Fisheries Oceanography, 31(1), pp.84-107.