Released from captivity
More than 4-million hatchery-raised reds have been let loose in the Tampa Bay area, so that redfish you just caught might not be the wild one you think he is. But knowing for sure is just a clip away.
By DAVID A. BROWN
Published September 16, 2006
Some folks in Manatee County are looking for something, and they think it might be roaming around the Nature Coast.
It has auburn sides, white on the bottom, and spots at the back end.
Sounds a lot like a redfish, huh? Indeed, it is.
Since 1999, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been partnering with Mote Marine Laboratory on a redfish stock enhancement project aimed at increasing recreational catches and determining the ideal how, when and where of raising reds.
Those running the show named it "Project Tampa Bay" because the redfish hatchery is located at Port Manatee and the juvenile fish - more than 4-million - have been released into the Alafia and Little Manatee rivers.
However, redfish have tails, and they pretty much go wherever they desire. So, a search once limited to Tampa and Sarasota bays now extends north to Crystal River.
Tracking system
Television crime dramas show us weekly examples of how cops nail the bad guys through forensic evidence. Usually, there's some type of DNA connection.
The same principles allow Project Tampa Bay biologists to determine if a redfish was spawned by one of the brood stock females that live pampered lives in hatchery accommodations. And, while we're unlikely to see Nature Coast reds making cameo appearances on CSI, identifying a red's origin proves invaluable to the overall stock enhancement mission.
Researchers randomly sample redfish populations in the Tampa Bay area, mostly with netting tactics. But they need help from the angling public in collecting DNA samples from recreationally caught redfish.
To this end, Project Tampa Bay provides free Fin Clip Kits for anglers interested in assisting with the collection. These simple steps will facilitate the process and minimize stress to the fish:
1. Clip a nickel-size piece of fin from the back end of the second dorsal fin the long one. The fin will grow back and clipping does not hurt the fish.
2. Place the fin clip in a plastic bag provided in your Fin Clip Kit.
3. Record the requested fish and angler information on the bag label.
4. Place the fin clip on ice to preserve the DNA.
5. Deliver the fin clip to a bait and tackle shop participating in the collection. (If you can't go directly from the water to a collection site, place the fin clip in your freezer until you're able to deliver it.
What if the clipped red was born in local waters? No problem - the DNA is still valuable in profiling the genetics of wild populations. Essentially, all information benefits the big picture of redfish management.
And don't worry about the size of your redfish. Fin clips from undersized fish are welcome, too. (Just be sure to release the "shorts" after clipping.)
Anglers who turn in fin clips with complete capture information will receive a postcard identifying their catch as a hatchery-reared or wild redfish. Participants are also entered into drawings for prizes
For free Fin Clip Kits or additional bags, and a list of participating bait and tackle shops, call the Redfish Hotline, (800) 367-4461 or the Mote Redfish Lab (941) 388-4441 ext. 448. Direct e-mail requests to redfishlab@mote.org.What's with the spots?
It's an age-old question that baffles anglers. Why do some redfish have more spots than others?
The norm is one spot on each side of the tail, but variations are countless. Some have multiple spots evenly balanced from side to side, while others bear completely different markings from port to starboard.
Spots can also range past a redfish's tail, occasionally stretching up to its gills. Most spots occur separately, but connected dots occasionally create unique patterns.
Theories of how redfish spots are determined range from salinity levels to geographic location. However, Gina Russo, the program coordinator for Project Tampa Bay, said the real answer just isn't that deep. "It's just random selection by nature."
Russo said the spottiest red she's ever seen had approximately 500 freckles. "It looked like a seatrout, and originally, (the angler) identified it as a seatrout because it had so many spots. But DNA testing confirmed that it was a redfish."
Although rare, some adult redfish are caught with no spots. All reds begin life this way, but those whose DNA destiny includes spots will develop their lifetime pattern by their fourth or fifth month.
Russo quickly dispels a couple of common myths. Redfish do not change their spots. And hatchery-raised reds have the same spot tendencies as wild reds.
Whether a redfish was born in a hatchery or in the wild, one thing remains consistent - a relentless fight. That means redfish often come to the boat pretty winded. Give the fish time to recover by supporting it in the water before releasing it.
A little TLC goes a long way in keeping all redfish healthy and ready for the next fight.