Location: Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach and Cuda Reef
Shark tagging is essential to scientists to learn more about these amazing creatures. Marine Biologists would not be able to learn about sharks without the help of catching them and tagging them. When it comes to tagging sharks there are different techniques and devices that can be used. Three tags that are use are the PAT tag which stands for Pop-up Archival Transmitting tag, a Spot Fin tag, and last but not least the roto tag. All three tags work differently from each other. The PAT tag records the depth, the temperature and tracks the movement of the sharks. The PAT tag works under the water and can record data up to a year! Once the year is up the tag is released and returns to the surface once the tag reaches the surface all the data that was collected is transmitted to the research lab to be processed. When tagging a shark with the PAT tag, the tag is attached under the skin of the shark which allows the tag to stay in place. The PAT tag is the most high tech device out of the three tags and is also the most expensive tag which can cost more than $4,000, so marine scientists use these tags on special occasions.
PAT Tag
The final tag that researchers use is the Roto tag. The Roto tag is the simplest most inexpensive device and technique that is used on sharks. Costing around 25 cents the Roto tag is used to help identify sharks and help track their movements. On the Roto tag consist of a serial number and than the phone number of the research institute that attached the tag. The purpose of the number is so that if another group catches the shark and sees the tag they can call the institute and tell them the location. The researches than record the location to track the shark. The Roto tag is punched to the dorsal fin of the shark.
Tagging sharks help scientist gain a better understanding of the many different species of sharks and there are many questions that are still unanswered to this day that scientists are still trying to understand.
Interested in how the tagging program works check out NOAA's website on tagging
Check out the Guy Harvey Research Institute if you want to see some tracking of sharks.
I like the idea of shark tagging because, like you said, it helps scientists understand these creatures' movements, feeding habits, and other important pieces of information. Not only is it important, but it is really fun to be a part of.
ReplyDeleteI never knew there were so many different type of tags before and i cant believe that the PAT tag is so expensive! you think it would be more affordable since its being used for scientific purposes. And I agree with Matt that it is a vital to getting information and data on different animals.
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