Taaspüügi

Taaspüügi (literally "re-fishing") is an Estonian term used in fisheries science and management to describe the practice of recapture, that is, capturing fish that have previously been caught and released, or undertaking a second capture after an initial release as part of a research or monitoring program. The concept covers tag-and-release studies, mark‑recapture experiments, and telemetry-based tracking used to gather data on population size, growth, survival, movement, and age structure. By providing estimates of abundance and dynamics, taaspüügi supports stock assessments and the setting of sustainable quotas without significantly increasing fishing mortality.

In practice, taaspüügi involves attaching tags or marking devices to individuals, releasing them, and recording information on subsequent recaptures. Analyses typically use mark-recapture statistical methods or movement models to infer population parameters. The approach is common in scientific investigations of both freshwater and marine species and is sometimes integrated into recreational or commercial fishery programs under appropriate permits.

Regulatory and ethical considerations are important. Taaspüügi activities require permits, reporting, and adherence to animal welfare guidelines to minimize harm. Data quality depends on reporting rates, tag retention, and representativeness of the sampled population. While not a method for regular harvest, taaspüüki contributes to understanding stock status, migration, and habitat use, informing management decisions at the national and EU level.

See also: catch-and-release, fish tagging, stock assessment, capture-mark-recapture.