Recaptured Fish at Sea for 12.4 Years

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10 July 2025

Recovered PIFG tagged opakapaka sets "new record" for liberty.

It was at sea for 4,537 days or 12.4 years!

This opakapaka was reported by Layne Nakagawa for another Maui bottom fishermen. Recovered on May 18, 2025, 21" (53.34 cm), 6.2 lbs some where in the Maui triangle. 

The opakapaka was originally tagged by Eddie Ebisui III, Tag no. H13522, on 12/15/2012, 31.5 cm, some where in the Maui Triangle. It grew 21.84 cm (total growth 53.34 cm) weighed 6.2 lbs. and was at liberty for 4,537 days This is the first bottomfish recovered since 5/12/2023 there are still thousands  of tagged Deep 7 out there!

PIFG Tagging History
PIFG fishermen started tagging bottomfish in 2008 (NWHI - 3,000 deep 7) 

continued through 2015 (MHI - Approx, 7,000+ deep 7 for a total of over 10,000.

Later through a grant, PIFG tagged pelagic striped marlin, yellowfin and bigeye 

tuna with conventional and satellite tags. Today PIFG sponsors nearshore volunteer 

project tagging ulua/papio, oio, kaku and moi! 

Mahalo to the thousands of anglers who have supported and participated in the PIFG 

"Tag It" project over the years!

Tag It Project Milestones 

Longest Distance Traveled by a PIFG tagged fish-  4,700 plus miles, a satellite 

tagged striped marlin by a PIFG longliner went from southeast of the island of Hawaii 

to Bisbane Australia in one year!

Deepest tagged fish recovery - Tagged Onaga recovered from 120 fathoms of water 

off of Maui.  

Longest PIFG tagged fish at liberty - Opakapaka 4,537 days or 12.4 years!

To learn more about the Deep 7 Bottomfish Tagging Project: Click here.

Media Contact:
Alexander Min
Pacificfisheries@gmail.com