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Archival tags may prove to be a significant source of critical information necessary to promote a comprehensive
management plan for tarpon throughout their migratory range. The PAT (pop-up
archival transmitting) tag is an instrument that is designed to be towed by a tarpon for a preprogramed time period,
which may be up to two years, after which the tag automatically releases itself from the animal, floats to the surface,
and transmits its recorded data to an orbiting Argos satellite. These tags are approximately 6” long x 1
½” in diameter and contain sensors, memory chips and transmitters. They are attached to the tarpon high on
the back behind the head. These tags are set to record temperature, water depth and locations at various times
during any given day.
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| PAT Tag After Placement on Tarpon |
Previous PAT tagging efforts have focused on the east coast of the US,
Louisiana and Mexico. While significant data has been gathered, the Texas connection is absent from the previously obtained data.
The Texas Gulf Coast remains the only world class Gulf of Mexico tarpon fishery, which has not participated in the
tagging program. It is the goal of Tarpon Tomorrow to place a sufficient number of PAT tags in Texas waters to gain meaningful
insight into tarpon movements in theTexas bay systems and off the immediate Texas coast.
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Previous Tracking Maps Obtained By PAT Tags
The following map is a comprehensive map indicating tarpon tag placement and pop-off locations.
Previous Data Obtained from Tags
The following tables show the type of information, other than geographical location,
that can be compiled from the data transmitted from the PAT tags after pop-off and satellite uplink. This information
was obtained from individual tags placed on tarpon in Louisiana in 2003.
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