PORT ARANSAS, Texas – Fishermen and scientists have gone off the deep end after three Bluefin tuna were caught in Port Aransas within the last six weeks.
Bluefin tuna are commonly found in the Texas Gulf Coast while spawning; however, catching one is rare, according to researchers.
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The Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation is conducting research on two tuna that were recently caught, including one that weighs 564 pounds and the other weighing 638 pounds.
According to the center, both tuna were over 20 years old.
Researchers find the age of the tuna by looking at the core of the otoliths, located in the inner ears of vertebrates, to find rings showing the age of the fish, similar to the rings in a tree.
There are three species of bluefin with the Atlantic being the most endangered, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
The Port Aransas Bluefin Tuna have been aged! The otoliths (ear stones) were set in epoxy and sectioned. Then the annuli (small rings within the otolith) were counted under a microscope. Both of these fish were over 20 years old! The otoliths are being saved for future chemical analysis. Thanks again to the anglers who shared their amazing catch!
Posted by Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation on Thursday, May 23, 2019