In the frame of the SELFDOTT project (From capture based to SELF-sustained aquaculture and Domestication Of bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus) 25 Young BFT 0+ were captured alive on the shore of Murcia (SE Spain) with the «curricán» method (a Spanish term meaning to fish by trailing a baited line along behind a boat). They were placed on board in cylindrical plastic tanks (1.45 -1.65 m , 1.20 m height, containing 1 200 litres of sea water), transported to the project facilities in El Gorguel (Cartagena, SE Spain) and then released in a circular 25 m-diameter floating cage which was 20 m deep. Whilst close to 50% of the captured fish arrived alive to the cage, the survival rate after one month in the cage was high (75%). The main mortality in this process was due to difficulties in freeing fish from the hooks, although the hooks were barbless. No Young BFT grouping was observed in any case, so it was impossible to use the purse seine method for massive capture as planned.
