Capt. William Chaprales

1970. Began commercial fishing career for Bluefin Tuna aboard the f/v DELPHI, operating from Barnstable Harbor.

1970-1976. Captained 125' motor vessel "EL TORO" for charter operation in the Caribbean, based in St. Thomas, VI

1976-1978. Participated in inaugural NMFS Bluefin Tuna tagging program. working with Bruce Freeman, director of the National Marine Fisheries service, Northeast Science Center, Gloucester, MA. Together with 10 other harpooners, tagged over 300 free-swimming Bluefin off New England.

1979. Participated in the Rudie inlet harpoon tagging project off Virginia. Set up this tagging program with NMFS and other govt. observers on board. Successfully tagged 141 medium and giant tuna in the month of June.

1993-1996. Worked with Dr. Molly Lutcavage in formulating the New England Aquarium aerial survey program for Bluefin Tuna, in co-operation with NMFS. Hundreds of aerial photos were taken., interfaced with GPS systems and laptop computers.

1995. Invented and patented harpoon tagging device for the purpose of safety tagging free-swimming large pelagic fishes without injury to the animal. (see attachment) 100 percent successful "return" of all tags implanted. In September of 1995, attached the first Acoustic tag in a free swimming Bluefin with biologists Greg Skomal and Brad Chase Mass Div of Marine Fisheries. Later that month the same was accomplished on a rod and reeled Bluefin.

1995-1997. Primary participant in inaugural acoustic tracking program for Bluefin in co-operation with : Dr. Molly Lutcavage of the N.E. aquarium; Dr. Rich Brill, U. of Hawaii Pelagic Fisheries Research Program; biologist Greg Skomal Mass. Div. of Marine Fisheries; Dr. Paul Howey, microwave Telemetry, Columbia, MD. Tagged and tracked 12 giant Bluefin in the Gulf Of Maine and the Great South Channel. Also tagged 85 other Bluefin with conventional tags.

1996-1997. Harpoon blood sample studies with Greg Skomal and Brad Chase. This study was to collect blood samples, body organs, and tissue samples from "non-stressed" Bluefin using electric harpoon. The study was important because it provided a base line for all other blood sample studies of stressed bluefin, i.e., rod and reel.

1997. From august to October, under the direction of Brad Chase and Greg Skomal, caught 3 Bluefin of rod and reel, all of which were tested for stressed blood levels after a pre-determined "fight time". Each fish tagged on acoustic tag released, and tracked.

2001. Working with Greg Skomal assisting in fist tagging of free-swimming Basking shark using satellite pop-up technology in the great south channel. 

2003. In the Month of May worked again with the New England Aquarium, Dr. Scott Krause, and Dr. Rosiland M. Rolland DVM aboard the f/v Rueby researching Northern Right Whales East Of Cape Cod, identifying animals and collecting tissue samples and feces. 

2005. Research on the Ecology and movements of the Basking Shark using high-tech tags and harpoon tag method. University Of New England Maine, Greg Skomal division of Marine Fisheries and the lab of Steve Zeeman University Of New England.

Bill is currently an owner of Cape Quality Bluefin, A member of Mass Audubon Soc. Mass Lobsterman's Association, Atlantic Fish Spotters Association, Cape Cod Commercial Fisherman's Association and President of the Atlantic Commercial Fisherman's Alliance.

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Christian Valle
Growing up and living on Cape Cod has allowed Christian Valle to pursue his passion for the ocean and fishing throughout his life. He has crewed on numerous charter and sports-fishing boats and spent a good part of his teenage years working on the harpoon-boat F/V Scratcher chasing giant bluefin tuna throughout the Gulf of Maine.

Fresh out of Holy Cross College, Christian spent two years working at the International Wildlife Coalition in Falmouth, MA as an intern and project coordinator. He was involved with numerous public education and outreach campaigns and worked with the coalition developing their media and marketing materials.

Christian currently is involved with all business related aspects of Gulf of Maine Productions including business development, marketing and sales. He currently lives with his wife in Falmouth, MA.