The Great Swordfish Race update - Al's third satellite tagged swordy on its way
by Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW 21 Aug 2022 21:45 UTC
The Great Swordfish Race update © RFA of NSW
On 24 July well-known fishing identity Al McGlashan deployed his third satellite tag (PSAT) into a swordfish of approximately 20 kg while fishing the offshore grounds of Bermagui NSW as a part of the Great Swordfish Race.
After initially trolling for other offshore species, Al sounded up some productive looking structure and the call was quickly made to have a deep drop for a swordfish. It didn't take long for son, Cooper McGlashan, to come up tight on a fish. After a quick fight on heavy tackle, Cooper had the fish boat side. The fish was in excellent condition and had no signs of barotrauma...a prime candidate for the Great Swordfish Race! The sat tag was then deployed and the fish was swum alongside the boat for a few minutes (to allow for recovery) before it kicked away and powered off back to the depths. With Audi Croft onboard capturing some cracking footage, it was a great day out for the pelagic specialist team!
PSAT tags are very much like a mini-computer. They log information such as water depth, light levels, temperature and enable location to be determined. Sat tags are used to track the movement of marine animals and highly migratory fish such as sharks, tuna and billfish. These tags are programmed to detach or "pop-off" after 12 months. Once the tag reaches the surface the data is streamed to passing satellites and then onwards to DPI.
Sat tagging provides valuable data on this exciting relatively new recreational fishery, including information on the timing and availability of swordfish in NSW, swordfish behaviour and their suitability for catch and release.
DPI is undertaking this project in collaboration with the Australian National Sportfishing Association (NSW) and NSW Game Fishing Association and have also partnered with the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) which has a similar swordfish program.
Stay tuned for exciting updates from this tagged fish!