Lecture by Tuna Expert

Date: Sept. 24, 2008
Place: Bukkyo Dendo Center Bildg, Tokyo, Japan

Mr. Chuck Farwell, curator and researcher at Monterey Bay Aquarium, gave a lecture on tuna for JGFA. It was centered on the tagging practice and data collected by it. Because tuna are rather high re-capture rate, it is viable to install rather expensive internal archival tag, which can collect large volume of data. By the aid of high-tech tags, researchers are starting to learn some surprising life of tuna. Most amazing of all, some tuna can dive up to 3,000 feet, and is capable of making a trans-Pacific travel. Who knows, a tuna caught in Japan and fetch a record price in Tsukiji Fish Market may be one of such long-range cruisers!
Mr. Farwell, expert on pelagic species, gave a lecture to JGFA members.
With the interpretation by Mr. Higashi, senior director of JGFA, Mr. Farwell gave presentation using Powerpoint slides, which made it easy to follow.
Attendees included JGFA chairman and vice chairs, and Mr. Izumi Nakamura, former assistant professor at Kyoto University.

When tagging a tuna, researchers use this type of “cradle” to move it to the well-cushioned surgery station and insert saltwater hose to its mouth so the body remains oxygenated.
A tuna’s trans-pacific path of travel. It spent quite a long time in Emperor’s Seamount area. It made the journey from Mexico to Japan in less than a year.