spinydogfish.org - Tag Identification

Tags Used in Spiny Dogfish Research At East Carolina University There are many types of tags that have been used over the last 12 years by East Carolina University researchers. Nearly all tagged sharks have flexible, brightly colored tags implanted near the dorsal fin called Floy Tags. Different sizes and colors belong to different projects, but all should be returned to the address given on the tag: Bright Orange, 4.75 inches long - DMF Box 769, Morehead City, NC/Reward RR XXXXX (the 5-digit tag number). Bright Orange, 3 inches - Reward ICMR ECU Greenville, NC 27858 XXXXX. Burnt Orange / Rust, 4.75 inches (twisted steel wire) - RARXXXX $___ Reward. Return to Dogfish Study, Biology Dept., ECU, Greenville, NC 27858 Yellow, 4.75 inches - RARXXXX $___ Reward. Return to Dogfish Study, Biology Dept., ECU, Greenville, NC 27858 Yellow, 2.75 inches - Reward NER MRHD City NC B XXXXX (5-digit tag number) .
In 2009-2010, 93 dogfish were implanted with VEMCO acoustic transmitters and tagged with bright orange floy tags (B). The acoustic transmitters will be implanted in the abdomen of the sharks, and sharks will have evidence of surgery on the abdomen. Please return the floy tag, and if possible, the transmitter to "Dogfish Study, Biology Dept., ECU, Greenville NC 27858" if the shark is not to be returned to the water.
In 2010-2011, 120 sharks will be tagged north and south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts with internal acoustic tags. These sharks will be marked with both floy tags and modified button tags below and in the dorsal fin, respectively. An additional 8,000 sharks will be externally tagged with floy tags over the 1-year study.