Getting Involved With Fish Tagging Programs

***NOTE: In some states, tagging by non-scientific or agency personnel is outlawed or strongly regulated.***

What Can Anglers Do to Help with Tagging Programs?

The most important action that anglers can take to aid tagging programs is to return tags and information. When a fish is caught which has a tag, record as much information as possible, including the location, length, weight and species of fish and information on the tag. If the fish is to be released, clip the tag and return it with this information to the address or phone number on the tag.

Many angling groups have also recently become interested in participating in tagging. There are many things anglers and groups need to consider before starting a tagging project. These are discussed in more detail below.

Is There an Existing Tagging Program in Which I Can Become Involved?

Chances are good that there is already a program in existence which can fit your needs. These organizations have generally considered the factors discussed below and have developed extensive programs to address them. Some state agencies have organized programs that involve anglers and which contribute the specific information which states needs for managing fisheries. For information, contact your state fishery management agency (Agency Contacts) to see if there are opportunities to participate in tagging or other management activities.

Joining in with an existing program has many advantages, including the fact that they generally have an established system that is recognized by anglers and fishery managers alike. Additionally, the expense of purchasing tags, developing training materials, implementing reward systems, and managing the volumes of data that are returned are already covered by the organization. Therefore, it may be as simple as you (or your group) contacting an existing effort (Tagging Programs) to see how you can join in. In most cases, a small fee may be charged to cover the costs of tags and equipment - but this is usually much cheaper than starting and running your own program!

Are you willing to make a long-term commitment to the project - with financing?

The real fruits of a tagging project may often take years to materialize. This is particularly true in coastal areas where fish may migrate long distances. Many fish must be tagged just so that the chances of recovering even a single tag are improved. Tagging cannot be a short-term endeavor. Years after tagging has stopped, anglers will be recapturing fish and expecting rewards or, at the very least, information about their tagged fish. If groups are not around to fulfill these requests, anglers may lose interest in returning tags from any program, thereby undermining the effectiveness of other important management tagging programs.

Beyond simply the cost of purchasing tags, a properly conducted tagging program will incur substantial costs in developing a system to track what tags are dispersed (and to whom) and what tags have been recovered, as well as all of the information associated with each tag recapture. Additionally, communicating with both taggers and anglers who turn in tag recovery information can be extremely time consuming. All this takes substantial time - and money - to be successful. Providing some training or guidance for inexperienced taggers so that mortality of fish is not increased is also vital to any program, and is another factor to be considered before starting a program. All of this - training materials, communication, personnel, printing costs, telephone bills and mailing costs and other costs can be a financial drain to organizations.

What state and federal regulations will I have to consider before getting started?

Before starting a fish tagging program, the first call that anyone should make is to the state fishery management agency (Agency Contacts).   There are a number of states which have regulations pertaining to the tagging or marking of fish in public waters. Additionally, there are a number of state and federal tagging efforts currently in place that you need to be aware of before embarking on any program. Knowledge of these programs will help to avoid confusion caused by over lapping tag colors and numbers, duplication of efforts and other problems that may occur. Chances are that an agency is already collecting the type of information you may want and by working with them, you can compliment their efforts.

What will I use the data for?

Every tagging project has a purpose, whether that be collecting simple information on where the fish move or collecting more complex information such as mortality rates. You must carefully consider and outline the purposes of tagging. Most commonly, anglers are interested in both seeing where the fish move and contributing to scientific/management efforts. The best way to help science and management is to work with agencies. Most successful, long-term tagging programs have established data sharing relationships with state or federal agencies. Data that is collected through these programs fits into the scientific and management objectives of agencies and becomes more than simply "seeing where the fish go."

Training and Guidance for Volunteer Taggers is Essential

Tagging so that the best information is developed involves more than catching fish and placing a tag into it. Fish have vital organs that, if punctured, can cause mortality. Additionally, too much handling may rub the protective slime layer from the fish, making it more susceptible to infection and diseases. The last thing that volunteer taggers want to do is to increase the mortality of fish they are releasing. So it is important that some guidance be provided to taggers. Ideally, this would take the form of hands-on, personal instruction from experienced taggers or professional biologists. At the very least, strong guidance materials need to be provided. The more consistent that each tagger is in applying the tag, the better the data will be. Groups should work in conjunction with state and federal agencies to develop appropriate techniques and protocols.

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