Preliminary results of the coalfish taggings 1954-58

Abstract

From 1954 to 1958 more than 7 800 tagged coalfish were released, mainly in North Norway, of which about 2 600 recoveries have been reported. During the summer months the coalfish seem to be fairly stationary within limited feeding areas, and the large mature fish appear to be visiting the same district year after year. In the young immature fish there is a marked trend of gradual movement towards north and east. The regular spawning migrations previously reported on, are clearly demonstrated. In Finnmark migrations start from October to December. By January the main bulk have reached the Malangen and Lofoten banks where immature fish are left behind. On the spawning grounds tagged fish are recaptured in January, February and March. The eventual return migrations are not clearly demonstrated as only few mature fish are recaptured in April, May and June. Since 1957 a number of recoveries has been reported from Iceland and Faroe Islands as dealt with in a special report to this meeting. The material has not yet been fully analysed for the purpose of estimating mortalities etc.