  |
 |
|
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commisssion NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service |
 Welcome to the Cooperative Tagging Web Site and Registry! This site is best viewed with MS Internet Explorer 6.0 or Netscape 6.2. |
||
Fish tagging programs are a vital part of a fishery manager’s tools for assessing fish populations. Conducted properly, tagging can yield a wealth of information including fish movements, migration patterns, and statistics such as birth rates, mortality rates, and harvest levels. This information can be vital to appropriate management leading to healthier fish stocks. However, improperly conducted tagging programs can lead to tremendous confusion, increased mortality of fish, and erode the support for other programs. Some states prohibit or highly regulate the tagging of fish because of such concerns. Therefore, it is imperative that volunteer angler-taggers carefully consider the costs and benefits of tagging before deciding to tag fish. This site is intended to provide a resource for fishery managers, anglers, scientists, and others interested in tagging. Features on this site allow you to: |
||
 |
Find out about tags you recover. Sometimes, tags that have been in the water for awhile are difficult if not impossible to read. This site will help you track down possible sources for such tags that you recover so that you can return them to the agency or organization who did the tagging. | |
 |
Information about Fish Tagging. See photos of different types of tags you may encounter in marine environments. | |
 |
Learn about the best way to become involved in tagging. Starting a new tagging program has many problems and considerations. This site can help to lead you to agencies and organizations which may be able to help you contribute to fishery management efforts without the expense and commitment of starting a new program. Also, some states prohibit tagging fish - this site can help to lead you to the appropriate person or agency to contact in your area. | |
 |
Learn about existing fish tagging programs. | |
 |
"Register" your program's fish tags. By registering your tags, you assist others that recapture your tagged fish to learn the appropriate place to return them. Also, you help fishery managers and other organizations to learn about your programs so that your program can coordinate with others to improve fisheries management. | |
 |
Certify your tagging program. To improve the quality of tagging data, ASMFC has developed general standards for how tagging programs should be administered. Programs that meet these standards may receive ASMFC Certification status. Instructions and application form available here. | |
 |
Edit your tagging program's information. Keep your program's contact and tagging information current. | |
For questions about fish
tagging on freshwater, contact your state agency. |
