Tag Retention and Effects of Tagging on Movement of the Giant Red Sea Cucumber Parastichopus californicus

Abstract We examined tag retention and the effects of tagging on short‐term movements of the giant red sea cucumber Parastichopus californicus . Retention rates were monitored for six different tag types (Floy banner FTSL‐73, cinch FT‐4C, fingerling FTF‐69, garment, single T‐bar FD‐94, and the coded wire tag), which were applied to 30 individuals under laboratory conditions. The single T‐bar and coded wire tag had the highest retention rates: 70% and 60% after 16 weeks, and 40% and 37% after 32 weeks. To assess the effects of tagging and handling on movement, a field study was conducted in Amalga Harbor, Alaska, in which giant red sea cucumbers were tagged with T‐bar tags and monitored for 24 h. Tagged and handled animals moved significantly farther than control animals. The median (linear) distance moved by control animals over 24 h was 1.8 m (range, 0.2–4.2 m), whereas the median distance for tagged animals was 4.2 m (range, 0.4–22.7 m). Short‐term behavior was affected by both tagging and handling; therefore, we recommend that researchers minimize handling and wait at least 24 h after tagging before monitoring giant red sea cucumber movements.