The Rutgers Black Sea Bass project is trying to understand the effects of sex change on sea bass and scientists are offering rewards for the return of tagged fish. To date, over 900 black sea bass have been tagged and over 100 tagged fish have been recaptured. Recapture locations show that, during the summer, black sea bass stay in a small home range. Many were recaptured on the same wreck or reef where they were first tagged.
Black sea bass have started their offshore seasonal migration and scientists are expecting more fish to be recaptured further away. So far, there is no evidence of sex change, which means that sex change probably occurs offshore during the winter after spawning season is over. The project will continue next year.
Has anyone captured a tagged black sea bass? We would love to see some pictures or hear stories if you’ve got them!
