Coastal Stock Assessment for tautog

Type: Ocean
Region: Eastern
Location: Ocean City

Had the opportunity to participate a special tog research trip authorized by the DNR on December 10, 2010. The purpose was to conduct a Coastal Stock Assessment for tautog. The DNR needed anglers to catch tog so they could take samples. Captain Bunting of the Ocean Princess took us to a few near-shore wrecks about three or four miles out and had the mate set the anchor in about 60 feet. Water temps were in the low 50�s. Although the air was cold, the ocean was calm. The three DNR marine biologists, Steve, Karen and Sarah worked in unison as they weighed, aged and determined the sex of each tog. I watched with interest as they removed the gill flap on the cheek bone (the operculum) to age each fish. It has concentric rings on it. One ring equals one year. Tog are slow growing fish so even a little tog is ten years old or older. DNR needed 70 tautog for the study; we brought a total of 90 tog over the rails in eight hours of fishing. Us fishermen were able to take our tog home but any left over were designated to be donated to a local homeless shelter. It was a fun trip and a unique experience.