Standardized
Tagging Technique
This
program covers a large study area,
and involves many individuals from both the scientific and fishery communities.
With such high numbers of individuals involved in this program, standard
protocols are crucial to ensure consistency. GMRI has developed standard
protocols based on the experience of program partners and other experienced
tagging programs. The protocols include the following elements:
Tags: yellow
(regular) and blue
(high-reward) T-bar anchor tags;
Tagging technique: all fishermen and scientists follow
a standard tagging protocol;
Data sheets: the same data sheets are used throughout
the program;
Database: all the data is entered into a single database,
using a state-of-the-art online database which has been tailor-made for
this program.
| Tagging
equipment |
| The
program uses T-bar anchor tags, manufactured by Hallprint
Pty. This simple tag is easily inserted into the cod, close
to the dorsal fin.
The T-bar “anchors” between the bones which run up into
the first dorsal fin. Each tag is printed with a unique
number, the name of the program, our toll-free
number and our web
site address.
Tags
are inserted using an Avery Dennison tag fastening gun (model #
08958).
This tagging technique has been used on a variety of fish species
as it is a cost-effective and efficient means of tagging large numbers
of fish.
A
considerable proportion of tagged cod are double-tagged;
this was 10% of all cod released between March 2003 and September
2004. Since October 2004 the Program double-tags 100% of its tagged
releases. This technique allows us to monitor for tag-loss. |
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