The purpose of this collection program is to encourage CPFV’s to save the heads of white seabass caught on their vessels. We hope to collect at least 1,000 heads from white seabass caught in US waters so that they can be genetically tested to determine if they were hatcheryreared. This information will help to support preliminary findings that hatchery-reared white seabass raised and released by the Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program are surviving and may be contributing to as much as 30% of the fishery landings.
GUIDELINES
HEAD COLLECTION PROGRAM DATES:
- June 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023
- July 1, 2023 – July 31, 2023
- August 1, 2023 – August 31, 2023
REQUIREMENTS:
- Head must come from a legal-sized (28″ or larger) white seabass caught aboard your vessel in US waters.
- Heads MUST be bagged and labeled according to the program requirements.
INCENTIVES
INCENTIVES FOR RECREATIONAL ANGLERS:
- Recreational anglers who contribute a white seabass head for the program will be granted a $25 gift code to aftco.com.
INCENTIVES FOR SPORTBOATS:
- The boat contributing the greatest number of white seabass heads each month will receive $500.
- The boat contributing the greatest number of coded-wire tagged white seabass each month will receive $500. In the event of a tie, the boat turning in the oldest tagged fish, from the vessels that are tied, will win. If no tagged fish are found, then the boat contributing the second most number of heads will receive this prize.
REQUIREMENTS
For each individual or batch of heads saved, a label must be included with the head(s). The information on a label needs to include the vessel name, date, and location where caught for each individual or group of white seabass head(s) saved. If needed, preprinted labels and bags in which to store individual or groups of heads will be provided. Please call the number below if you need labels and bags.
Heads that are received without the pertinent information mentioned above will not count towards either incentive. Therefore, it is important that these labels be completed soon after white seabass are landed on your vessel to assure their accuracy and so that they can be placed into the bag when the head is saved.
We would like to get ALL the heads of white seabass caught on your vessel greater than 28″ in length. The stones (ear bones) in the head are also necessary for ageing the fish. So it is very important that we receive the head intact, especially if the fish is detected as being hatchery-reared.
Please note that is a head collected program for scientific purposes and that various organizations conduct fishing tournaments for white seabass during the year. Your customers that are entered in these various contests may need to take their whole white seabass to a specific location in order to submit their catch as an official entry into their respective contests. In this instance we would appreciate it if you would remind them about dropping off the head of their seabass at a designated drop-off location which they can find at www.hswri.org.
