Electronic tagging of Bluefin Tunas from the Maltese spawning ground suggests size-dependent migration dynamics

The purse seine fishery in the Mediterranean represents about 60% of international catch for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus). Yet, tagging operations from this segment fisheries remain rare and despite its potential importance management, several aspects related to migratory behavior these areas unaddressed. In present manuscript, we report results two carried out on a commercial seiner during consecutive years spawning ground around Maltese islands Central Sea. During operations, eight individuals were tagged showed that larger fish (> 200 cm) undertook large-scale migrations outside Mediterranean, whereas smaller did not. This study suggests size might affect Tuna, underlines grounds address scientific questions having significant management implications.