VIMS

Shark Tagging

tagged shark

Report a Tagged Shark

The VIMS Shark Ecology Program, which has been tagging sharks on its longlining surveys since 1981, uses several types of tags—including dart, acoustic and satellite tags—to study shark movement and behavior.

The VIMS longline  is the world's longest running elasmobranch (sharks, rays and skates) population surveys (37+ years and counting), and has played a key role in chronicling the dramatic decline in these key apex predators. Our program provides a basis for the management and restoration of these species. In addition to population dynamics, the longline survey also studies various aspects of the ecology of elasmobranchs, both coastal and deep-sea, including feeding, reproduction, migratory behavior, and genetic structure.