worldwide conservation of the fish.

Tuna is one of the most important stocks for fishing worldwide and knowledge of its movements, behaviour and reproduction are important for its future conservation.

Senior Fisheries Officer Dr. Brian Luckhurst is leading the research in Bermuda which is currently concentrating on fish brought in to market.

The results of the research, which will include tagging the fish to check on their migratory movements, is expected next year.

"We have embarked on an extensive sampling programme, working with mainly charter fishermen around the Island to sample their catches,'' said Dr.

Luckhurst.

Eventually the study will also include blackfin tuna and dolphin fish and comes at a time when Bermuda is moving towards greater participation in the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic tuna.

"The study is primarily aimed at helping Bermuda make a significant contribution towards understanding these migratory stocks because they are fished by many different nations as they move around the Atlantic.

"The Commission tries to manage the stocks and it is a question of how to manage the stocks without over-fishing them,'' added Dr. Luckhurst.