A fish that was tagged and released off Jervis Bay almost a decade ago has been recaptured – setting a new record.
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The albacore, also known as a longfin tuna, was released in 2008 and recaptured earlier this month off the coast of New Zealand.
The fish measured 70cm and about 7kg when it was tagged in the Jervis Bay Canyons on November 8, 2008.
After 3434 days at liberty, the albacore was caught by a commercial longliner off the northeastern tip of New Zealand on April 4 – 2272km away.
The fish had grown to 1m and about 20kg during its nine years and seven months of freedom.
The NSW DPI said it was the longest time an albacore released as part of its game fish tagging program had been at liberty.
The previous record was 2567 days.