What do I do if I catch a tagged shark?

There are three types of tags currently in use by the Cooperative Shark Tagging Program (CSTP). The most common tag is a dart tag, composed of a stainless steel dart head, monofilament line, and a plexiglas capsule containing a vinyl plastic legend with return instructions. These dart tags, in use since 1965, are implanted in the back musculature near the base of the first dorsal fin. More recently, Hallprint tags and fin tags have been used on a limited basis on small sharks in nursery areas.

When you catch a shark with a tag in it, we ask that you 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 or total) and/or type of weight (whole or dressed)
Fishing method (rod and reel, longline, etc.)
Whether you kept the shark, or released it alive - if released alive, was it released with the same tag, a different tag, or no tag
If you are keeping the shark, please see our Request for Backbones of Recaptured Sharks
Be sure to include your name, mailing address, daytime phone number, and email address

There are several ways you can report this information to us - please do one of the following:

Call 877-826-2612 Toll-free
Email us at sharkrecap@noaa.gov
Use our online form to report this information.
You can fill in this form and send it to:

Cooperative Shark Tagging Program
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service
28 Tarzwell Drive
Narragansett, RI 02882

After receipt of the recapture information, you will receive a report on the original release and a hat to thank you for your participation.

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(File Modified Sep. 13 2011)

What do I do if I catch a tagged shark?

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