Tracking Cobia Migration Via Satellite

Anglers looking at a net full of cobia need to
check closely for any tracking tags

Cobia populations remain in focus by those who steward marine natural resources because their migration patterns are still a mystery. Cobia can be long-lived and large, swimming up and down both the Gulf and Atlantic coastlines. Recreational anglers and those with an interest in commercial harvest commonly target cobia. Four states are now working together to deploy pop-up satellite tags in 27 cobia, hoping to learn more about their life history, and S.C. anglers are being asked to report any cobia caught with a tag.

            

Satellite tags are expensive, but they can record data such as distance of travel, and depth of water, that might reveal spawning behavior. Biologists from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina will be working together to record all the data from these tracking devices. Satellite tagged cobia do not need to be reeled in to gather the data, because the pop-off tags will detach and float to the surface, where a satellite can receive all the data it transmits.

            

Funding for this project comes from a cooperative research program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Staff from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Kennedy Space Center Ecological Program represent the sunshine state. An additional 20 cobia will be tagged with acoustic transmitters to compliment the satellite tag program, and all other past cobia tagging efforts. Acoustic tags emit a ping that can be detected by a scientific network of underwater listening devices along the Atlantic coast.

To view the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

For past blog entries on cocoa click on South Lowcountry Management Zone - Fly and Light Tackle - Gamefish status - state record

To view past blog entries on Migratory dolphin off S.C. click 2016 - 2015- 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 - 2007