To Report A Tag

• Call Toll-free 877-826-2612

• Email us at sharkrecap@noaa.gov

• Use our online form
  
  What do I do if I catch a tagged shark?

Welcome to the Apex Predators Program

The Apex Predators Program (APP) is located at the Narragansett, RI Laboratory of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC). We are one of three programs in the Population Biology Branch of the Fisheries and Ecosystems Monitoring and Analysis Division. Our mission is to conduct life history studies of commercially and recreationally important shark species. Information gathered from our research programs provides baseline biological data for the management of large Atlantic sharks.

In 2011 and 2012, over 30,000 spiny dogfish will be released with tags. Anyone who captures a tagged fish and returns complete information can earn either a $20 or $100 cash reward depending on the color of the tag.

Double Tagging Experiment

During research cruises in 2009 and 2010, we conducted a double tagging experiment to test tag retention. We have tagged over 500 blue sharks with one tag on each side of the dorsal fin. The tag numbers to look out for occur in the ranges 314550-314801, 336800-337475, and 343095-343345. If you happen to catch a shark with one of these tag numbers, please make note of how many tags are in the fish.