🐟 TAGGED RED GROUPER RECAPTURED JUST 52 DAYS LATER — A CITIZEN SCIENCE SUCCESS STORY

May 5, 2026 — A red grouper tagged by S.A.F.E. President Captain Jon Reynolds was recaptured just 52 days later barely a mile from its release point, according to an official recapture report from the NOAA Cooperative Tagging Center.

The fish, a red grouper (Epinephelus morio) carrying tag HM110741, was released on January 28, 2025 at coordinates 24.77°N, 80.71°W — approximately 6 miles south of Islamorada in the Atlantic. On March 20, 2025, just 52 days later, the same fish was recaptured at 24.76°N, 80.70°W — less than a mile from where it was tagged.

What This Tells Us

While a 52-day recapture barely a mile from the release site might sound unremarkable, it's actually valuable data for fisheries scientists. Red grouper are site-associated reef fish — they don't migrate hundreds of miles like pelagics do. This recapture confirms:

• Strong site fidelity — the fish stayed in the exact same reef structure for nearly two months
• Stable habitat — the reef this grouper calls home remains healthy enough to support it
• High survival rate — the fish survived release, returned to its territory, and was caught again by a different angler, confirming that catch-and-release works when done properly

Why Citizen Science Matters

Every tag return tells a story. The NOAA Cooperative Tagging Center, managed by the Southeast Fisheries Science Center in Miami, has been running this program for decades. Fishers like Captain Reynolds provide the boots-on-the-ground data that helps scientists understand:

• Migratory patterns — where fish go and when
• Stock mixing — whether local fish stay local or mingle with broader populations
• Survival rates — how many tagged fish survive catch-and-release
• Growth rates — how fast fish grow between release and recapture
• Maximum age — how long these fish live

In this case, the fact that the grouper was 16 inches both times and was released alive each time is good news — it suggests the fish was handled properly, survived the encounter, and had no noticeable impact from the tag.

Get Involved

Want to participate in this critical research?

• Request a tagging kit at dolphintagging.com
• Report any tagged fish you catch to 1-800-437-3936 or Tagging@NOAA.gov
• Tag and release responsibly — use proper dehooking tools and keep fish in the water

Every tag is a data point. Every data point makes our fisheries better managed. And better managed fisheries mean more fish for everyone.