Booklet

The Cooperative Shark Tagging Program (CSTP) is a
collaborative effort between recreational anglers, the
commercial fishing industry, and NOAA Fisheries to
learn more about the life history of Atlantic Sharks.
Since launching in 1962 with fewer than 100 taggers, CSTP
participants have tagged more than 295,000 sharks representing 52
species. More than 17,500 sharks have been recaptured, giving us
data from 33 species. This information helps us better understand:







Stock structure
Distribution, movements,
and migration patterns
Population abundance
Age and growth rates
Behavior
Mortality

Today, thousands of people along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts
participate in this program. We also have volunteers in Europe.
That geographic range is key for understanding sharks, which travel
long distances and are fished in multinational fisheries. This is also
why our tags include return instructions printed in English, Spanish,
French, Japanese and Norwegian.
Most CSTP participants tag the sharks they catch with a rod and reel
while fishing recreationally. Other participants include commercial
fishermen using longline and net gear, biologists, and NOAA
fisheries observers.
Tag (blue)
and
recapture
(red)
locations of
blue sharks
from the
Cooperative
Shark
Tagging
Program

1

** Review before tagging**

How to Use the Tags
Only use these dart tags on sharks greater than 3 feet in length and robust
enough to handle the tag. When filling out the tag cards, provide the most
detailed location information possible.
Always use safe release practices for you and the fish. The goal is to minimize
physical handling.
 Leave the shark in the water while tagging
 Release prohibited species immediately.
 Do not gaff a shark you plan to release. Never drag the fish on dry sand
or on a hot boat deck.
 Do not sit on the shark, hold their mouth open for pictures, grip them
over the gills, or lift them by the tail. Sharks do not have bones to
protect their internal organs. The larger the fish, the more prone they are
to internal injury.
 Use the proper gear, such as heavy tackle and a fighting harness to
reduce fight times. Long fight times stress the fish.
 Do not take the extra time to tag a shark that appears stressed or overly
fatigued.
 Use a dehooker to retrieve the hook or cut the leader as close to the
hook as safe.
How to Request More Tags
You can request more tags once you have used your tag supply and returned
all the tag cards. The easiest way to request more tags is to write "need more
tags" in the remarks section of one of the tag cards; you may also call toll free
(877-826-2612) or email (sharkrecap@noaa.gov).
Please keep copies or a log of the information on the tag cards you send back
to us (tag number, date, species, sex, location, size) or you can take photos of
the tag cards. Tag cards can get lost in the mail. If that happens, we won’t
know you’ve tagged an animal until it is recaptured. If a shark you tag is
recaptured, we will notify you by regular mail, so let us know if your contact
information changes.
Due to the cost of tag production, we may not issue you more tags if these
first 3 are not used or get lost or stolen.
Follow Applicable Regulations
The issuance of tags does not authorize any activity. It is your responsibility
to follow all local, state, and federal fishing regulations that apply to your
fishing area.
Fishermen who participate in this tagging program
are not employed by NOAA. We encourage you to
identify yourself as a volunteer participant if ever asked

Thank You For Your Participation

2

TAGGING BEST PRACTICES
No set of tagging instructions can be rigidly applied to all sharks
under all conditions. We recognize that the experienced angler is
often in the best position to judge the safest and most effective
means for tagging sharks. Nevertheless, some fundamental
procedures are essential to the survival of tagged sharks and for
obtaining accurate information.

3



Plan ahead – Tagging a shark is often a team effort that requires
practice. Know who is going to do what in the process of
catching, tagging and releasing the shark, and who will
concentrate on obtaining biological information.



Put safety first – Never attempt to handle even a small shark by
yourself. The basic points to keep in mind are: leave the shark in
the water whenever possible, avoid handling any part of the
shark, and use a dehooker to retrieve the hook or cut the leader if
needed (see page 5 for shark survival tips). Even under the best
conditions, every new activity at sea adds some hazard.



Follow all local and federal laws – All recreational shark
anglers fishing in federal waters are required to have a federal
permit for shark fishing and use non-offset, corrosive (nonstainless) circle hooks except when fishing with flies or artificial
lures. Check with state and local officials to make sure you
follow all laws. Participating in this volunteer program does
not exempt you from the regulations. You are the
responsible party



Look for tags already in place – Measure or estimate the fork
length of the fish, record the tag number and all the recapture
details including species, sex, date, latitude and longitude, and
method of capture. Tags have been lost in the mail so keep a
copy of the recapture information. If keeping the shark, remove
a piece of the backbone over the gill area and freeze it for our
age studies (see page 10 for diagram).



Only tag sharks you can identify – Some species are difficult
to tell apart, but it is important that your records are as
accurate as you can make them. We will do whatever we can to
assist you. If you are not sure if the shark was, for example, a
blacktip or spinner, then note this on the card and send us a
photo/video if possible (see page 11 for field guides).



Take time to insert tags properly –The major reason for poor
placement of tags is over-anxiousness. Once a shark is
restrained on a short leader, it tends to twist and thrash making
tagging difficult. Wait until the shark settles down before trying
to tag it.



Avoid snap judgments when estimating sizes – The demand
for physical action in the final moments when a shark is being
tagged can distract one’s attention from pertinent details.
Several people may assist in a release only to learn later that no
one truly focused on the size or sex of the shark. Discuss size
estimates and determine its sex before the shark is released.



Record tagging information promptly and completely – Fill
in the tag card immediately after tagging the fish and mail cards
in promptly. Keep a copy for your records in case the cards are
lost in the mail.



Do not transfer tags – Tags are assigned to individuals who we
can contact should we need follow-up information. We will
gladly send tags to anglers who request them, but the
indiscriminate transfer of tags can only lead to confusion. Please
report the loss or damage of any of your tags.

4

BEST PRACTICES FOR
SHARK SURVIVABILITY
**Remember that prohibited species must be left in the water and
released immediately

5



Use non-offset circle hooks. These are more likely to lodge in the
corner of the jaw, making removal of the hook easier. Circle hooks
reduce the chances of gut/foul hooking the fish and increase chances of
survival for the fish. All recreational shark anglers fishing in federal
waters are required to use non-offset, corrosive (non-stainless) circle
hooks when fishing for sharks, except when fishing with flies or
artificial lures. Some states also require anglers to use circle hooks
when fishing for sharks. If fishing from shore, be sure to check with
state officials to make sure you follow all local laws.



Reduce fight times. Use heavy tackle and a fighting harness. These
will help prevent long fight times that put stress on the fish.



Be attentive and set the hook immediately in order to lip/jaw hook the
fish (non-circle hooks); this will prevent the fish from swallowing the
hook. We have had few recaptures from gut hooked sharks.



Plan release procedures. Be prepared by having the proper release
tools handy. If you are fishing with others, avoid injury by making
sure everyone knows what to do and what not to do.



Minimize physical handling. Sharks do not have bones to protect
their internal organs, so minimal handling is key. Leave the shark in
the water; never drag the fish on dry sand or on a boat deck. Do not
grip the shark over the gills as they are easily damaged. Placing a
towel soaked in seawater over the eyes may help pacify the shark.
Never gaff a shark you plan on releasing!



Try reviving fatigued or near death sharks. Support it gently in
the water allowing it to breathe. If possible carefully move the fish
forward through the water to push water across the gills.



Do not tag a stressed or overly fatigued shark. We would prefer
that the shark is safely released as quickly as possible.



Place the tag correctly. It should go in the muscle at the base of the
first dorsal fin. Take care to avoid injuring the spine.



Use a dehooker to retrieve the hook. If the hook is swallowed and
is deep or if the fish is likely gut hooked, cut the line as close to the
mouth as possible and release the fish.

6

TAGGING EQUIPMENT AND METHODS
M tag - Do not open the capsule. Capsules contain the following
message in English, Spanish, French, Norwegian, and Japanese:

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Tag pole Commercial tag
poles are
available for
purchase, or you
may construct
your own (use a
smaller dowel
for shore based
tagging or
smaller fish)

STAINLE SS STl~L

NEEDLE

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1-f

SUPPLIED

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6 · 8 FOOT
HARDWOOD
DOWEL

GENTLY

DRIVE

RILL rHOL£ - 2 " DUP
1
NEEDLE
INTO HOLE WITH

WOODEN

BLOC K

Tag placement on pole - Firmly mount tagging
needle in 1″-1¼″ diameter hardwood. Ensure the
tag sticks out 2½″ from the pole. Fit the dart
head loosely into the slotted point in the needle.
It should be curved so that the two rear points
will face downwards into the muscle when the
tag is inserted. Place the rubber bands 2″-3″ up
on the pole to hold the tag in place

7

Inserting a tag - Tags should be inserted into the back near the first dorsal
fin. This area lies to the side of the backbone and above the body cavity. The
ideal location on large sharks is in the muscle at the very base of the first
dorsal fin.
It is most important that the capsule assumes a trailing
position on the shark. Insert the dart at an angle
toward the head of the fish. Shark skin is tough, but
by holding the pole 2″-3″ above the shark and making
a strong quick thrust, the dart should penetrate even
large fish.

Tag placement on shark - The dart head should come to rest
approximately 1″-1½″ beneath the shark's skin with the capsule trailing
away from the head of the shark. In tagging small sharks, care must be
taken to avoid injury to the
backbone. To control the depth of
penetration of the dart head, make
an incision with the point of a
knife and carefully push the dart
head into the muscle. Do not tag
•--------'~--F
ORK LE NGTH·
sharks less than 3' length with
"-------TOTAL
LENGTH-dart tags.

-

EXAMPLE OF PROPERLY FILLED OUT TAG CARDS
When you need more tags, request them in the remarks section of your
tag card. Be sure to note any address change.
TAG TYPE _M_

PLEASE FILL IN DETAILS AND MAIL TODA Y
SPECIES
LOCATION

(3--o'-"")

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REMARKS

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8

DETERMINE THE SEX OF A SHARK
MALE

FEMALE

Have You Caught a Tagged Spiny Dogfish?

$20

$100

$100
keep whole fish*

*To claim reward, please store fish on ice or freeze if necessary.
Contact us toll free at 877-826-2612 for shipping instructions.

9

NOAA Fisheries Cooperative Research
Spiny Dogfish Tagging Study

What To Do If You Catch a Tagged Shark
Record the following information as accurately and completely as
possible:










Tag number.
Species and sex.
Date of capture.
Location caught (latitude and longitude preferred).
Length and/or weight and whether it was estimated or measured.
Type of length (fork/total) and/or type of weight (whole/dressed).
Fishing method (rod and reel, longline, etc.).
Condition at release (kept the shark or released it alive - if released alive,
indicate whether released with the same tag, a different tag, or no tag).

Be sure to include your name, mailing address, daytime phone number, and
email address
There are several ways you can report this information:






Call 877-826-2612 toll-free
Email us at sharkrecap@noaa.gov
Use our online reporting form: www.nefsc.noaa.gov/sharktagreport
Mail in the information to: NOAA Fisheries, Cooperative Shark Tagging
Program, 28 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, RI 02882

We will send you a report with information on the shark you caught and a hat
to thank you for your participation.

Request for Backbones of Recaptured Sharks
The large number of sharks currently being recaptured offers a unique
opportunity for fishermen to assist biologists in age and growth studies.

IF YOU ARE KEEPING A TAGGED SHARK

1. Measure fork length
2. Record tag number and recapture details (date, location, latitude and

longitude, species, measured fork length, sex, and method of capture).

3. Remove a 6 to 10 inch piece of backbone from over the gills.
4. Freeze backbone
5. Call 877-826-2612 (toll free) or 401-782-3320 weekdays for information

on mailing.

~~-.:::

4-_---'J
_____
_

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FORiFile Typeapplication/pdfFile TitleThe National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Cooperative Shark Tagging ProgramSubjectNFS, shark, tagging, programAuthorNOAA Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Science CenterFile Modified2022-12-09File Created2019-06-10