Seasonal Residence, Movement, And Activity Of Adult Tautog (Tautoga Onitis) In Lower Chesapeake Bay Final Contract Report to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission Newport News, Virginia, Project Number RF98-12

The current study used ultrasonic telemetry to document seasonal residence, movement, and activity patterns of adult tautog ("Tautoga onitis") in the lower Chesapeake Bay. Ultrasonic transmitters were surgically implanted into the body cavities of 19 adult tautog in November-December 1998 and 14 additional fish in April 1999. Artificial reefs comprised two study sites while the others were characterized by natural bedform and epibenthic biological materials. Seventy percent (23 fish) of all tautog released remained at release sites and were never detected or recaptured away from release sites for up to 6 months (duration of transmitter battery life). Rather than move to areas of warmer water in the winter and cooler water in the summer, (a pattern documented for more northern tautog populations) tautog at these sites remained resident, only decreasing their activity slightly in response to thermal extremes. Grant no. NA90AA-D-SG045