Metadata Rubric

100%

6 / 6

SWFSC Metadata Library > Fisheries Resources Division > Pacific Highly Migratory Species Data > The SWFSC Cooperative Billfish Tagging Program,... >

The Billfish Tagging Program--Tag Releases

Entity (ENT) | Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC)
GUID: gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:56757 | Updated: August 9, 2022 | Published / External

Summary

Item Identification

Keywords

Physical Location

Entity Info

Data Attributes

Support Roles

Extents

Access Info

Distribution Info

Issues

Related Items

Catalog Details

Abstract

The Cooperative Billfish Tagging Program (CBTP) at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) collected tagging data (1963-2021) and angler survey responses (1969-2019) from thousands of volunteer anglers around the Pacific Ocean, with additional efforts from the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The CBTP began in 1963 and has provided over 80,000 conventional mark-recapture tags and tagging supplies to billfish anglers fishing in the Pacific Ocean. Tag releases are recorded by anglers or captains on Tagging Report cards mailed to the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC). More than 62,000 tags have been reported released on nine different billfish species in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and other locales. Active tag distribution ended in March 2021, effectively ending the tagging program, but the SWFSC is still logging tag releases and recaptures for existing tags still in circulation. The data presented here represented all the information reported on the Tagging Report Cards received at the SWFSC as of February 2021.

Description

The SWFSC's constituent-based Billfish Tagging Program began in 1963 and has provided over 80,000 conventional spaghetti type tags and tagging supplies to billfish anglers fishing in the Pacific Ocean. Tag releases are recorded by anglers or captains on Tagging Report cards mailed in to the SWFSC and tags recovered on recaptured billfish are reported to the SWFSC via phone or email as indicated by the information printed on the body of the tag. Over 62,000 tags have been reported released on eight different billfish species in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and other locales. Active tag distribution ended in March 2021, effectually ending the tagging program, but the SWFSC is still logging tag releases and recaptures for existing tags still in circulation.

Entity Type
Data Table

Data Attribute / Type	Description
tag_id varchar(15)	The tag_id is an alphanumeric value (e.g. "A123456B") created by the concatenation of the alphanumeric tag identification printed on the body of the actual tag (e.g. "A123456") and the duplicate value (e.g. "B"). The tag identification is an uppercase letter followed by 6 numbers. In some instances the same tag number is reported as being deployed more than once, due to mistakes in tag acquisition and inventorying or if a fish is captured and re-released. To identify these instances, the first duplicate is designated as “B”, and the second as “C” (e.g. “A091324B” or “A091324C”). The order in which the tags are input into the database typically determines which are labeled as duplicates and thus which records terminate with "B" or "C". Tags with no duplicates do not terminate with "A".
dup char(1)	In some instances the same tag_id is reported as deployed more than once, due to mistakes in tag acquisition and inventorying or if a fish is captured and re-released. To identify these instances, no duplicate is designated as “A”, the first duplicate is designated as “B”, and the second as “C” (e.g. “A091324B” or “A091324C”). The order in which the tags are input into the database typically determines which are labeled “A” versus “B”. Any "B" or "C" values are concatenated as terminal characters on the tag_id column.
research varchar(1)	If the tag was released for or by a research institution. N= No, Y= Yes, Null = unanswered, but assumed N.
second_tag varchar(15)	The tag identification for any second tag affixed to the billfish. This usually indicates research tags, but could include analog mark-recapture tags.
third_tag_pat varchar(15)	The tag identification for a third tag or a Pop-off Archival Tag (PAT).
fourth_tag_spot varchar(15)	The tag identification for a fourth tag or Smart Position and Temperature (SPOT) tag.
mm tintyint	The month of tag release.
dd tinyint	The day of tag release.
yyyy smallint	The year of tag release.
location varchar(50)	The general location of the tag release. Locations are colloquial and not geographically standardized (e.g. 10-minute fishing block, or degrees of latitude). Tag release location is either reported by the angler as a general location such as "Hawaii", or assigned during data entry based on provided coordinate data. However, records with coordinate data may not include "location" and records with "location" may not include coordinate data.
lat decimal(9,6)	Signed decimal degree latitude of tag release, as calculated from provided lat_dg, lat_mn, and n_s.
lon decimal(9,6)	Signed decimal degree longitude of tag release, as calculated from provided lon_dg, lon_mn, and e_w.
gear_cd tinyint	Numeric code for fishing gear used to catch billfish.
gear_type char(15)	Fishing gear type, corresponding to gear_cd, used to catch the billfish.
species_cd tinyint	Numeric code for billfish species tagged.
species_common_name varchar(50)	The common name of the billfish species tagged.
sex char(1)	The sex of the tagged billfish.
length_1 smallint	Length measurement of fish at tag release. Length is estimated by anglers and not validated by NOAA at the time of release.
length_type char(40)	Length measurement type. 0= no_value_reported, 11= cm_unknown, 12= cm_eye_to_tail_fork_billfish_only, 13= cm_bill_to_tail_fork_swordfish_only, 14= cm_cleithrum_to_tail_fork, 15= cm_lower_jaw_or_lip_to_tail_fork, 16= cm_snout_to_tail_tip_nonbillfish_only, 17= cm_snout_to_tail_fork_nonbillfish_only, 18= cm_tip_of_bill_to_tail_tip_billfish_only, 19= cm_dorsal_fin_to_dorsal_fin, 21= in_unknown, 22= in_eye_to_tail_fork_billfish_only, 23= in_bill_to_tail_fork_swordfish_only, 24= in_cleithrum_to_tail_fork, 25= in_lower_jaw_or_lip_to_tail_fork, 26= in_snout_to_tail_tip_nonbillfish_only, 27= in_snout_to_tail_fork_nonbillfish_only, 28= in_tip_of_bill_to_tail_tip_billfish_only, 29= in_dorsal_fin_to_dorsal_fin.
weight smallint	Weight, in pounds, of billfish at tag release. Weight is estimated by anglers and not validated by NOAA at the time of release.
bait_cd tinyint	Numeric code for fishing bait used to catch billfish. 0= unknown, 1= live_bait, 2= dead_bait, 3= unidentified_bait, 4= artificial_lure, 5= other, 6= fly.
bait_type char(17)	Fishing bait used to catch billfish.
temp_f tinyint	Water temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, at billfish tagging.
fight int	Fight time, in minutes, between hooking and landing billfish.
condition_cd tinyint	Numeric code for billfish condition at release. 0= unknown, 1= excellent, 2= good, 3= fair, 4= poor, 5= injured, 6= dead.
condition char(9)	Billfish condition at release based on angler's self-reported visual assessment.
hooks char(1)	If any hooks are on the billfish at release.
comments varchar(115)	Any comments related to tag release or data entry.
notes varchar(115)	Any notes about data entry or corrections.

Data Attribute / Type

Description

tag_id
varchar(15)

The tag_id is an alphanumeric value (e.g. "A123456B") created by the concatenation of the alphanumeric tag identification printed on the body of the actual tag (e.g. "A123456") and the duplicate value (e.g. "B"). The tag identification is an uppercase letter followed by 6 numbers. In some instances the same tag number is reported as being deployed more than once, due to mistakes in tag acquisition and inventorying or if a fish is captured and re-released. To identify these instances, the first duplicate is designated as “B”, and the second as “C” (e.g. “A091324B” or “A091324C”). The order in which the tags are input into the database typically determines which are labeled as duplicates and thus which records terminate with "B" or "C". Tags with no duplicates do not terminate with "A".

dup
char(1)

In some instances the same tag_id is reported as deployed more than once, due to mistakes in tag acquisition and inventorying or if a fish is captured and re-released. To identify these instances, no duplicate is designated as “A”, the first duplicate is designated as “B”, and the second as “C” (e.g. “A091324B” or “A091324C”). The order in which the tags are input into the database typically determines which are labeled “A” versus “B”. Any "B" or "C" values are concatenated as terminal characters on the tag_id column.

research
varchar(1)

If the tag was released for or by a research institution. N= No, Y= Yes, Null = unanswered, but assumed N.

second_tag
varchar(15)

The tag identification for any second tag affixed to the billfish. This usually indicates research tags, but could include analog mark-recapture tags.

third_tag_pat
varchar(15)

The tag identification for a third tag or a Pop-off Archival Tag (PAT).

fourth_tag_spot
varchar(15)

The tag identification for a fourth tag or Smart Position and Temperature (SPOT) tag.

mm
tintyint

The month of tag release.

dd
tinyint

The day of tag release.

yyyy
smallint

The year of tag release.

location
varchar(50)

The general location of the tag release. Locations are colloquial and not geographically standardized (e.g. 10-minute fishing block, or degrees of latitude). Tag release location is either reported by the angler as a general location such as "Hawaii", or assigned during data entry based on provided coordinate data. However, records with coordinate data may not include "location" and records with "location" may not include coordinate data.

lat
decimal(9,6)

Signed decimal degree latitude of tag release, as calculated from provided lat_dg, lat_mn, and n_s.

lon
decimal(9,6)

Signed decimal degree longitude of tag release, as calculated from provided lon_dg, lon_mn, and e_w.

gear_cd
tinyint

Numeric code for fishing gear used to catch billfish.

gear_type
char(15)

Fishing gear type, corresponding to gear_cd, used to catch the billfish.

species_cd
tinyint

Numeric code for billfish species tagged.

species_common_name
varchar(50)

The common name of the billfish species tagged.

sex
char(1)

The sex of the tagged billfish.

length_1
smallint

Length measurement of fish at tag release. Length is estimated by anglers and not validated by NOAA at the time of release.

length_type
char(40)

Length measurement type. 0= no_value_reported, 11= cm_unknown, 12= cm_eye_to_tail_fork_billfish_only, 13= cm_bill_to_tail_fork_swordfish_only, 14= cm_cleithrum_to_tail_fork, 15= cm_lower_jaw_or_lip_to_tail_fork, 16= cm_snout_to_tail_tip_nonbillfish_only, 17= cm_snout_to_tail_fork_nonbillfish_only, 18= cm_tip_of_bill_to_tail_tip_billfish_only, 19= cm_dorsal_fin_to_dorsal_fin, 21= in_unknown, 22= in_eye_to_tail_fork_billfish_only, 23= in_bill_to_tail_fork_swordfish_only, 24= in_cleithrum_to_tail_fork, 25= in_lower_jaw_or_lip_to_tail_fork, 26= in_snout_to_tail_tip_nonbillfish_only, 27= in_snout_to_tail_fork_nonbillfish_only, 28= in_tip_of_bill_to_tail_tip_billfish_only, 29= in_dorsal_fin_to_dorsal_fin.

weight
smallint

Weight, in pounds, of billfish at tag release. Weight is estimated by anglers and not validated by NOAA at the time of release.

bait_cd
tinyint

Numeric code for fishing bait used to catch billfish. 0= unknown, 1= live_bait, 2= dead_bait, 3= unidentified_bait, 4= artificial_lure, 5= other, 6= fly.

bait_type
char(17)

Fishing bait used to catch billfish.

temp_f
tinyint

Water temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, at billfish tagging.

fight
int

Fight time, in minutes, between hooking and landing billfish.

condition_cd
tinyint

Numeric code for billfish condition at release. 0= unknown, 1= excellent, 2= good, 3= fair, 4= poor, 5= injured, 6= dead.

condition
char(9)

Billfish condition at release based on angler's self-reported visual assessment.

hooks
char(1)

If any hooks are on the billfish at release.

comments
varchar(115)

Any comments related to tag release or data entry.

notes
varchar(115)

Any notes about data entry or corrections.

Billfish Tagging Program,Tag Releases

ERDDAP is a data server that gives you a simple, consistent way to download subsets of scientific datasets in common file formats and make graphs and maps. This particular ERDDAP installation contains data related to Environmental Research Division projects and collaborations.

No Child Items for this record.

Point of Contact
Nicole Nasby-Lucas
nicole.nasby-lucas@noaa.gov
858-334-2826

Metadata Contact
Nicole Nasby-Lucas
nicole.nasby-lucas@noaa.gov
858-334-2826

Geographic Area 1

East Boundary - North, Central, and South American Coastline

Time Frame 1
1963-01-01 - Present

Title:	The Billfish Tagging Program--Tag Releases
Status:	On Going
Creation Date:	2021
Abstract:	The Cooperative Billfish Tagging Program (CBTP) at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) collected tagging data (1963-2021) and angler survey responses (1969-2019) from thousands of volunteer anglers around the Pacific Ocean, with additional efforts from the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The CBTP began in 1963 and has provided over 80,000 conventional mark-recapture tags and tagging supplies to billfish anglers fishing in the Pacific Ocean. Tag releases are recorded by anglers or captains on Tagging Report cards mailed to the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC). More than 62,000 tags have been reported released on nine different billfish species in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and other locales. Active tag distribution ended in March 2021, effectively ending the tagging program, but the SWFSC is still logging tag releases and recaptures for existing tags still in circulation. The data presented here represented all the information reported on the Tagging Report Cards received at the SWFSC as of February 2021.
Purpose:	The tagging program promotes ethical angling of billfish. In addition, release and recovery information are used to examine movement patterns and distribution for billfishes (mainly swordfish, and blue, black and striped marlin).
Notes:	Active tag distribution ended in March 2021, effectually ending the Billfish Tagging Program, but the SWFSC is still logging tag releases and recaptures for existing tags still in circulation. The data presented here represent all Tagging Report Cards received at the SWFSC as of February 2021. For privacy of Personally Identifiable Information (PII), this public dataset does not contain angler or captain names, addresses, emails, phone numbers, boat names, or club names as provided to the SWFSC on the tagging report cards. Instead, individual anglers are identified as anonymous numbers to retain the count of distinct participants while not revealing PII. For more information on the CBTP's privacy policy, please refer to NOAA's IT Policy and Oversight.
Supplemental Information:	For detailed information about the operations, methods, and database organization of the SWFSC Cooperative Billfish Tagging Program, please refer to: Heberer, L.N., Wraith, J., Kohin, S., Gu, Y., Nasby-Lucas, N.D., and Dewar, H. 2021. The NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center Cooperative Billfish Tagging Program Operations and Database. NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-SWFSC-640 at at https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/28449.

Theme Keywords

Thesaurus	Keyword
UNCONTROLLED
None	billfish
None	black marlin
None	blue marlin
None	commercial fisheries
None	recreational fisheries
None	sailfish
None	shortbill spearfish
None	striped marlin
None	swordfish
None	tagging

Thesaurus

Keyword

UNCONTROLLED

None

billfish

None

black marlin

None

blue marlin

None

commercial fisheries

None

recreational fisheries

None

sailfish

None

shortbill spearfish

None

striped marlin

None

swordfish

None

tagging

Temporal Keywords

Thesaurus	Keyword
UNCONTROLLED
None	1963-2021

Thesaurus

Keyword

UNCONTROLLED

None

1963-2021

Spatial Keywords

Thesaurus	Keyword
UNCONTROLLED
None	Pacific Ocean

Thesaurus

Keyword

UNCONTROLLED

None

Pacific Ocean

Instrument Keywords

Thesaurus	Keyword
UNCONTROLLED
None	conventional mark-recapture

Thesaurus

Keyword

UNCONTROLLED

None

conventional mark-recapture

Organization:	Southwest Fisheries Science Center
City:	La Jolla
State/Province:	CA
Country:	USA

Entity Type:	Data Table
Active Version?:	Yes
Description:	The SWFSC's constituent-based Billfish Tagging Program began in 1963 and has provided over 80,000 conventional spaghetti type tags and tagging supplies to billfish anglers fishing in the Pacific Ocean. Tag releases are recorded by anglers or captains on Tagging Report cards mailed in to the SWFSC and tags recovered on recaptured billfish are reported to the SWFSC via phone or email as indicated by the information printed on the body of the tag. Over 62,000 tags have been reported released on eight different billfish species in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and other locales. Active tag distribution ended in March 2021, effectually ending the tagging program, but the SWFSC is still logging tag releases and recaptures for existing tags still in circulation.

Attribute Summary

	Name	Type	Description
100	tag_id	varchar(15)	The tag_id is an alphanumeric value (e.g. "A123456B") created by the concatenation of the alphanumeric tag identification printed on the body of the actual tag (e.g. "A123456") and the duplicate value (e.g. "B"). The tag identification is an uppercase letter followed by 6 numbers. In some instances the same tag number is reported as being deployed more than once, due to mistakes in tag acquisition and inventorying or if a fish is captured and re-released. To identify these instances, the first duplicate is designated as “B”, and the second as “C” (e.g. “A091324B” or “A091324C”). The order in which the tags are input into the database typically determines which are labeled as duplicates and thus which records terminate with "B" or "C". Tags with no duplicates do not terminate with "A".
100	dup	char(1)	In some instances the same tag_id is reported as deployed more than once, due to mistakes in tag acquisition and inventorying or if a fish is captured and re-released. To identify these instances, no duplicate is designated as “A”, the first duplicate is designated as “B”, and the second as “C” (e.g. “A091324B” or “A091324C”). The order in which the tags are input into the database typically determines which are labeled “A” versus “B”. Any "B" or "C" values are concatenated as terminal characters on the tag_id column.
100	research	varchar(1)	If the tag was released for or by a research institution. N= No, Y= Yes, Null = unanswered, but assumed N.
100	second_tag	varchar(15)	The tag identification for any second tag affixed to the billfish. This usually indicates research tags, but could include analog mark-recapture tags.
100	third_tag_pat	varchar(15)	The tag identification for a third tag or a Pop-off Archival Tag (PAT).
100	fourth_tag_spot	varchar(15)	The tag identification for a fourth tag or Smart Position and Temperature (SPOT) tag.
100	mm	tintyint	The month of tag release.
100	dd	tinyint	The day of tag release.
100	yyyy	smallint	The year of tag release.
100	location	varchar(50)	The general location of the tag release. Locations are colloquial and not geographically standardized (e.g. 10-minute fishing block, or degrees of latitude). Tag release location is either reported by the angler as a general location such as "Hawaii", or assigned during data entry based on provided coordinate data. However, records with coordinate data may not include "location" and records with "location" may not include coordinate data.
100	lat	decimal(9,6)	Signed decimal degree latitude of tag release, as calculated from provided lat_dg, lat_mn, and n_s.
100	lon	decimal(9,6)	Signed decimal degree longitude of tag release, as calculated from provided lon_dg, lon_mn, and e_w.
100	gear_cd	tinyint	Numeric code for fishing gear used to catch billfish.
100	gear_type	char(15)	Fishing gear type, corresponding to gear_cd, used to catch the billfish.
100	species_cd	tinyint	Numeric code for billfish species tagged.
100	species_common_name	varchar(50)	The common name of the billfish species tagged.
100	sex	char(1)	The sex of the tagged billfish.
100	length_1	smallint	Length measurement of fish at tag release. Length is estimated by anglers and not validated by NOAA at the time of release.
100	length_type	char(40)	Length measurement type. 0= no_value_reported, 11= cm_unknown, 12= cm_eye_to_tail_fork_billfish_only, 13= cm_bill_to_tail_fork_swordfish_only, 14= cm_cleithrum_to_tail_fork, 15= cm_lower_jaw_or_lip_to_tail_fork, 16= cm_snout_to_tail_tip_nonbillfish_only, 17= cm_snout_to_tail_fork_nonbillfish_only, 18= cm_tip_of_bill_to_tail_tip_billfish_only, 19= cm_dorsal_fin_to_dorsal_fin, 21= in_unknown, 22= in_eye_to_tail_fork_billfish_only, 23= in_bill_to_tail_fork_swordfish_only, 24= in_cleithrum_to_tail_fork, 25= in_lower_jaw_or_lip_to_tail_fork, 26= in_snout_to_tail_tip_nonbillfish_only, 27= in_snout_to_tail_fork_nonbillfish_only, 28= in_tip_of_bill_to_tail_tip_billfish_only, 29= in_dorsal_fin_to_dorsal_fin.
100	weight	smallint	Weight, in pounds, of billfish at tag release. Weight is estimated by anglers and not validated by NOAA at the time of release.
100	bait_cd	tinyint	Numeric code for fishing bait used to catch billfish. 0= unknown, 1= live_bait, 2= dead_bait, 3= unidentified_bait, 4= artificial_lure, 5= other, 6= fly.
100	bait_type	char(17)	Fishing bait used to catch billfish.
100	temp_f	tinyint	Water temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, at billfish tagging.
100	fight	int	Fight time, in minutes, between hooking and landing billfish.
100	condition_cd	tinyint	Numeric code for billfish condition at release. 0= unknown, 1= excellent, 2= good, 3= fair, 4= poor, 5= injured, 6= dead.
100	condition	char(9)	Billfish condition at release based on angler's self-reported visual assessment.
100	hooks	char(1)	If any hooks are on the billfish at release.
100	comments	varchar(115)	Any comments related to tag release or data entry.
100	notes	varchar(115)	Any notes about data entry or corrections.

Name

Type

Description

100

tag_id

varchar(15)

100

dup

char(1)

100

research

varchar(1)

If the tag was released for or by a research institution. N= No, Y= Yes, Null = unanswered, but assumed N.

100

second_tag

varchar(15)

The tag identification for any second tag affixed to the billfish. This usually indicates research tags, but could include analog mark-recapture tags.

100

third_tag_pat

varchar(15)

The tag identification for a third tag or a Pop-off Archival Tag (PAT).

100

fourth_tag_spot

varchar(15)

The tag identification for a fourth tag or Smart Position and Temperature (SPOT) tag.

100

tintyint

The month of tag release.

100

tinyint

The day of tag release.

100

yyyy

smallint

The year of tag release.

100

location

varchar(50)

100

lat

decimal(9,6)

Signed decimal degree latitude of tag release, as calculated from provided lat_dg, lat_mn, and n_s.

100

lon

decimal(9,6)

Signed decimal degree longitude of tag release, as calculated from provided lon_dg, lon_mn, and e_w.

100

gear_cd

tinyint

Numeric code for fishing gear used to catch billfish.

100

gear_type

char(15)

Fishing gear type, corresponding to gear_cd, used to catch the billfish.

100

species_cd

tinyint

Numeric code for billfish species tagged.

100

species_common_name

varchar(50)

The common name of the billfish species tagged.

100

sex

char(1)

The sex of the tagged billfish.

100

length_1

smallint

Length measurement of fish at tag release. Length is estimated by anglers and not validated by NOAA at the time of release.

100

length_type

char(40)

100

weight

smallint

Weight, in pounds, of billfish at tag release. Weight is estimated by anglers and not validated by NOAA at the time of release.

100

bait_cd

tinyint

Numeric code for fishing bait used to catch billfish. 0= unknown, 1= live_bait, 2= dead_bait, 3= unidentified_bait, 4= artificial_lure, 5= other, 6= fly.

100

bait_type

char(17)

Fishing bait used to catch billfish.

100

temp_f

tinyint

Water temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, at billfish tagging.

100

fight

int

Fight time, in minutes, between hooking and landing billfish.

100

condition_cd

tinyint

Numeric code for billfish condition at release. 0= unknown, 1= excellent, 2= good, 3= fair, 4= poor, 5= injured, 6= dead.

100

condition

char(9)

Billfish condition at release based on angler's self-reported visual assessment.

100

hooks

char(1)

If any hooks are on the billfish at release.

100

comments

varchar(115)

Any comments related to tag release or data entry.

100

notes

varchar(115)

Any notes about data entry or corrections.

Attribute Details

tag_id

CC ID: 1088594

Seq. Order:	1
Data Storage Type:	varchar(15)
Required:	Yes
Primary Key:	Yes
Status:	Active
Description:	The tag_id is an alphanumeric value (e.g. "A123456B") created by the concatenation of the alphanumeric tag identification printed on the body of the actual tag (e.g. "A123456") and the duplicate value (e.g. "B"). The tag identification is an uppercase letter followed by 6 numbers. In some instances the same tag number is reported as being deployed more than once, due to mistakes in tag acquisition and inventorying or if a fish is captured and re-released. To identify these instances, the first duplicate is designated as “B”, and the second as “C” (e.g. “A091324B” or “A091324C”). The order in which the tags are input into the database typically determines which are labeled as duplicates and thus which records terminate with "B" or "C". Tags with no duplicates do not terminate with "A".
Display Example:	A123456B
Format Mask:	A999999A
Foreign Key Relations:	"tag_id" in "Billfish Tagging Program--Tag Recaptures" table

dup

CC ID: 1088595

Seq. Order:	2
Data Storage Type:	char(1)
Max Length:	1
Required:	Yes
Primary Key:	Yes
Status:	Active
Description:	In some instances the same tag_id is reported as deployed more than once, due to mistakes in tag acquisition and inventorying or if a fish is captured and re-released. To identify these instances, no duplicate is designated as “A”, the first duplicate is designated as “B”, and the second as “C” (e.g. “A091324B” or “A091324C”). The order in which the tags are input into the database typically determines which are labeled “A” versus “B”. Any "B" or "C" values are concatenated as terminal characters on the tag_id column.
Case Restriction:	Upper
Display Example:	B
Allowed Values:	A-C

research

CC ID: 1088596

Seq. Order:	3
Data Storage Type:	varchar(1)
Max Length:	1
Required:	No
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	If the tag was released for or by a research institution. N= No, Y= Yes, Null = unanswered, but assumed N.
Case Restriction:	Upper
Display Example:	Y
Null Value Meaning:	Null values are assumed to indicate "No".
Allowed Values:	Yes; No; Null
Default Value:	Null

second_tag

CC ID: 1088597

Seq. Order:	4
Data Storage Type:	varchar(15)
Required:	No
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	The tag identification for any second tag affixed to the billfish. This usually indicates research tags, but could include analog mark-recapture tags.
Null Value Meaning:	No second tag was released.

third_tag_pat

CC ID: 1088598

Seq. Order:	5
Data Storage Type:	varchar(15)
Required:	No
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	The tag identification for a third tag or a Pop-off Archival Tag (PAT).
Display Example:	2P0551
Null Value Meaning:	No third tag or PAT tag was released.

fourth_tag_spot

CC ID: 1088599

Seq. Order:	6
Data Storage Type:	varchar(15)
Required:	No
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	The tag identification for a fourth tag or Smart Position and Temperature (SPOT) tag.
Null Value Meaning:	No fourth tag or SPOT tag was released.

mm

CC ID: 1088601

Seq. Order:	7
Data Storage Type:	tintyint
Max Length:	2
Required:	No
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	The month of tag release.
General Data Type:	integer
Format Mask:	mm
Null Value Meaning:	No month reported.
Allowed Values:	01-12

dd

CC ID: 1088602

Seq. Order:	8
Data Storage Type:	tinyint
Max Length:	2
Required:	No
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	The day of tag release.
General Data Type:	integer
Display Example:	13
Format Mask:	dd
Null Value Meaning:	No day reported.

yyyy

CC ID: 1088652

Seq. Order:	9
Data Storage Type:	smallint
Max Length:	4
Required:	No
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	The year of tag release.
General Data Type:	integer
Display Example:	2021
Format Mask:	yyyy
Null Value:	Blank
Null Value Meaning:	No year reported.

location

CC ID: 1088660

Seq. Order:	10
Data Storage Type:	varchar(50)
Required:	No
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	The general location of the tag release. Locations are colloquial and not geographically standardized (e.g. 10-minute fishing block, or degrees of latitude). Tag release location is either reported by the angler as a general location such as "Hawaii", or assigned during data entry based on provided coordinate data. However, records with coordinate data may not include "location" and records with "location" may not include coordinate data.
General Data Type:	character
Display Example:	Hawaii, USA
Null Value Meaning:	No location provided.

lat

CC ID: 1088670

Seq. Order:	11
Data Storage Type:	decimal(9,6)
Required:	No
Primary Key:	No
Precision:	9
Scale:	6
Status:	Active
Description:	Signed decimal degree latitude of tag release, as calculated from provided lat_dg, lat_mn, and n_s.
Null Value Meaning:	No value reported.
Allowed Values:	-90 to 90

lon

CC ID: 1088675

Seq. Order:	12
Data Storage Type:	decimal(9,6)
Required:	No
Primary Key:	No
Precision:	9
Scale:	6
Status:	Active
Description:	Signed decimal degree longitude of tag release, as calculated from provided lon_dg, lon_mn, and e_w.
Null Value Meaning:	No values reported.

gear_cd

CC ID: 1088676

Seq. Order:	13
Data Storage Type:	tinyint
Max Length:	2
Required:	Yes
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	Numeric code for fishing gear used to catch billfish.
General Data Type:	integer
Allowed Values:	1-11 1= baitboat; 2= purse_seine; 3= troll; 4= rod_reel; 5= harpoon; 6= longline; 7= handline; 8= gillnet; 9= unknown; 10= halibut_trawler; 11= free_tag

gear_type

CC ID: 1088677

Seq. Order:	14
Data Storage Type:	char(15)
Required:	Yes
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	Fishing gear type, corresponding to gear_cd, used to catch the billfish.
General Data Type:	character
Case Restriction:	Lower

species_cd

CC ID: 1088678

Seq. Order:	15
Data Storage Type:	tinyint
Required:	Yes
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	Numeric code for billfish species tagged.
General Data Type:	integer
Allowed Values:	7-14; 65;77; 78 7= broadbill_swordfish; 8= sailfish; 9= striped_marlin; 10= black_marlin; 11= pacific_blue_marlin; 12= unidentified_marlin; 13= unidentified_billfish; 14= shortbill_spearfish; 65= white_marlin; 77= longbill_spearfish; 78= atlantic_blue_marlin

species_common_name

CC ID: 1088679

Seq. Order:	16
Data Storage Type:	varchar(50)
Required:	Yes
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	The common name of the billfish species tagged.
General Data Type:	character
Allowed Values:	7= broadbill_swordfish; 8= sailfish; 9= striped_marlin; 10= black_marlin; 11= pacific_blue_marlin; 12= unidentified_marlin; 13= unidentified_billfish; 14= shortbill_spearfish; 65= white_marlin; 77= longbill_spearfish; 78= atlantic_blue_marlin

sex

CC ID: 1088680

Seq. Order:	17
Data Storage Type:	char(1)
Max Length:	1
Required:	Yes
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	The sex of the tagged billfish.
General Data Type:	character
Case Restriction:	Upper
Allowed Values:	M= Male; F= Female; U= Unknown

length_1

CC ID: 1088681

Seq. Order:	18
Data Storage Type:	smallint
Required:	No
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	Length measurement of fish at tag release. Length is estimated by anglers and not validated by NOAA at the time of release.
General Data Type:	integer
Null Value Meaning:	No value reported.

length_type

CC ID: 1088718

Seq. Order:	19
Data Storage Type:	char(40)
Required:	Yes
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	Length measurement type. 0= no_value_reported, 11= cm_unknown, 12= cm_eye_to_tail_fork_billfish_only, 13= cm_bill_to_tail_fork_swordfish_only, 14= cm_cleithrum_to_tail_fork, 15= cm_lower_jaw_or_lip_to_tail_fork, 16= cm_snout_to_tail_tip_nonbillfish_only, 17= cm_snout_to_tail_fork_nonbillfish_only, 18= cm_tip_of_bill_to_tail_tip_billfish_only, 19= cm_dorsal_fin_to_dorsal_fin, 21= in_unknown, 22= in_eye_to_tail_fork_billfish_only, 23= in_bill_to_tail_fork_swordfish_only, 24= in_cleithrum_to_tail_fork, 25= in_lower_jaw_or_lip_to_tail_fork, 26= in_snout_to_tail_tip_nonbillfish_only, 27= in_snout_to_tail_fork_nonbillfish_only, 28= in_tip_of_bill_to_tail_tip_billfish_only, 29= in_dorsal_fin_to_dorsal_fin.
General Data Type:	integer
Allowed Values:	0= no_value_reported, 11= cm_unknown, 12= cm_eye_to_tail_fork_billfish_only, 13= cm_bill_to_tail_fork_swordfish_only, 14= cm_cleithrum_to_tail_fork, 15= cm_lower_jaw_or_lip_to_tail_fork, 16= cm_snout_to_tail_tip_nonbillfish_only, 17= cm_snout_to_tail_fork_nonbillfish_only, 18= cm_tip_of_bill_to_tail_tip_billfish_only, 19= cm_dorsal_fin_to_dorsal_fin, 21= in_unknown, 22= in_eye_to_tail_fork_billfish_only, 23= in_bill_to_tail_fork_swordfish_only, 24= in_cleithrum_to_tail_fork, 25= in_lower_jaw_or_lip_to_tail_fork, 26= in_snout_to_tail_tip_nonbillfish_only, 27= in_snout_to_tail_fork_nonbillfish_only, 28= in_tip_of_bill_to_tail_tip_billfish_only, 29= in_dorsal_fin_to_dorsal_fin.

weight

CC ID: 1088719

Seq. Order:	20
Data Storage Type:	smallint
Required:	No
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	Weight, in pounds, of billfish at tag release. Weight is estimated by anglers and not validated by NOAA at the time of release.
General Data Type:	integer
Unit of Measure:	pounds
Null Value Meaning:	No value reported.

bait_cd

CC ID: 1088720

Seq. Order:	21
Data Storage Type:	tinyint
Required:	Yes
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	Numeric code for fishing bait used to catch billfish. 0= unknown, 1= live_bait, 2= dead_bait, 3= unidentified_bait, 4= artificial_lure, 5= other, 6= fly.
Allowed Values:	0= unknown, 1= live_bait, 2= dead_bait, 3= unidentified_bait, 4= artificial_lure, 5= other, 6= fly.

bait_type

CC ID: 1088723

Seq. Order:	22
Data Storage Type:	char(17)
Required:	Yes
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	Fishing bait used to catch billfish.
Allowed Values:	0= unknown, 1= live_bait, 2= dead_bait, 3= unidentified_bait, 4= artificial_lure, 5= other, 6= fly.

temp_f

CC ID: 1088725

Seq. Order:	23
Data Storage Type:	tinyint
Required:	No
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	Water temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, at billfish tagging.
General Data Type:	integer
Unit of Measure:	degrees Fahrenheit
Null Value Meaning:	No value reported.
Allowed Values:	40-100

fight

CC ID: 1088726

Seq. Order:	24
Data Storage Type:	int
Required:	No
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	Fight time, in minutes, between hooking and landing billfish.
Null Value Meaning:	No value reported.

condition_cd

CC ID: 1088727

Seq. Order:	25
Data Storage Type:	tinyint
Required:	Yes
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	Numeric code for billfish condition at release. 0= unknown, 1= excellent, 2= good, 3= fair, 4= poor, 5= injured, 6= dead.
General Data Type:	integer
Allowed Values:	0= unknown, 1= excellent, 2= good, 3= fair, 4= poor, 5= injured, 6= dead.

condition

CC ID: 1088728

Seq. Order:	26
Data Storage Type:	char(9)
Required:	Yes
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	Billfish condition at release based on angler's self-reported visual assessment.
General Data Type:	character
Allowed Values:	0= unknown, 1= excellent, 2= good, 3= fair, 4= poor, 5= injured, 6= dead.

hooks

CC ID: 1088729

Seq. Order:	27
Data Storage Type:	char(1)
Required:	No
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	If any hooks are on the billfish at release.
Null Value Meaning:	No value reported, but assumed "No".
Allowed Values:	U= Unknown; N= No, Y= Yes, or a numeric value.

comments

CC ID: 1088730

Seq. Order:	28
Data Storage Type:	varchar(115)
Required:	No
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	Any comments related to tag release or data entry.

notes

CC ID: 1088731

Seq. Order:	29
Data Storage Type:	varchar(115)
Required:	No
Primary Key:	No
Status:	Active
Description:	Any notes about data entry or corrections.

Data Steward

CC ID: 860625

Date Effective From:	2016-02-09
Date Effective To:
Contact (Person):	Nasby-Lucas, Nicole
Address:	8901 La Jolla Shores Drive La Jolla, CA 92037 US
Email Address:	nicole.nasby-lucas@noaa.gov
Phone:	858-334-2826
Contact Instructions:	Please contact Nicole Nasby-Lucas (nicole.nasby-lucas@noaa.gov).

Distributor

CC ID: 860626

Date Effective From:	2016-02-09
Date Effective To:
Contact (Organization):	Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC)
Address:	8901 La Jolla Shores Dr. La Jolla, CA 92037 USA
Phone:	(858)546-7000
URL:	http://swfsc.noaa.gov/
Business Hours:	8:00-16:30

Metadata Contact

CC ID: 860627

Date Effective From:	2016-02-09
Date Effective To:
Contact (Person):	Nasby-Lucas, Nicole
Address:	8901 La Jolla Shores Drive La Jolla, CA 92037 US
Email Address:	nicole.nasby-lucas@noaa.gov
Phone:	858-334-2826

Point of Contact

CC ID: 860628

Date Effective From:	2016-02-09
Date Effective To:
Contact (Person):	Nasby-Lucas, Nicole
Address:	8901 La Jolla Shores Drive La Jolla, CA 92037 US
Email Address:	nicole.nasby-lucas@noaa.gov
Phone:	858-334-2826
Contact Instructions:	Please contact Nicole Nasby-Lucas (nicole.nasby-lucas@noaa.gov).

Extent Group 1

Extent Group 1 / Geographic Area 1

CC ID: 857808

Description	East Boundary - North, Central, and South American Coastline

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 1

CC ID: 857807

Time Frame Type:	Continuing
Start:	1963-01-01
Alternate End As Of Info:	complete to 1 year prior

Security Class:	Unclassified

Distribution 1

CC ID: 1088877

Start Date:	2021
End Date:	Present
Download URL:	https://oceanview.pfeg.noaa.gov/erddap/tabledap/FRD_Billfish_releases.html
Distributor:	Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) (2016-02-09 - Present)
File Name:	Billfish Tagging Program,Tag Releases
Description:	ERDDAP is a data server that gives you a simple, consistent way to download subsets of scientific datasets in common file formats and make graphs and maps. This particular ERDDAP installation contains data related to Environmental Research Division projects and collaborations.

Issue 1

CC ID: 1087333

Issue:	Coordinate information may not be accurate for three reasons: -Tag release location is estimated by anglers when GPS coordinate data is not available. -Location information is communicated over phone and email, or handwritten by anglers on cards. Often, handwriting is difficult for data entry staff to discern. - There may be human input error with location data due to the nature of manual population of the database.

Issue:

Coordinate information may not be accurate for three reasons:

-Tag release location is estimated by anglers when GPS coordinate data is not available.

-Location information is communicated over phone and email, or handwritten by anglers on cards. Often, handwriting is difficult for data entry staff to discern.

- There may be human input error with location data due to the nature of manual population of the database.

Item Type	Relationship Type	Title
Entity (ENT)	Part of a Seamless Database	The Billfish Tagging Program--Tag Recoveries Tag releases and tag recaptures can be paired if "tagid" and "dup" are equal among the datasets.

Item Type

Relationship Type

Title

Entity (ENT)

Part of a Seamless Database

The Billfish Tagging Program--Tag Recoveries

Tag releases and tag recaptures can be paired if "tagid" and "dup" are equal among the datasets.

Catalog Item ID:	56757
GUID:	gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:56757
Metadata Record Created By:	Mihir Desai
Metadata Record Created:	2019-06-26 14:11+0000
Metadata Record Last Modified By:	SysAdmin InPortAdmin
Metadata Record Last Modified:	2022-08-09 17:11+0000
Metadata Record Published:	2021-10-01
Owner Org:	SWFSC
Metadata Publication Status:	Published Externally
Do Not Publish?:	N
Metadata Last Review Date:	2021-10-01
Metadata Review Frequency:	1 Year
Metadata Next Review Date:	2022-10-01

Summary

Entity Information

Distribution Information

Child Items

Contact Information

Extents

Item Identification

Keywords

Theme Keywords

Temporal Keywords

Spatial Keywords

Instrument Keywords

Physical Location

Entity Information

Data Attributes

Attribute Summary

Attribute Details

tag_id

dup

research

second_tag

third_tag_pat

fourth_tag_spot

mm

dd

yyyy

location

lat

lon

gear_cd

gear_type

species_cd

species_common_name

sex

length_1

length_type

weight

bait_cd

bait_type

temp_f

fight

condition_cd

condition

hooks

comments

notes

Support Roles

Data Steward

Distributor

Metadata Contact

Point of Contact

Extents

Extent Group 1

Extent Group 1 / Geographic Area 1

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 1

Access Information

Distribution Information

Distribution 1

Issues

Issue 1

Related Items

Catalog Details