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Dart & Roto Tags

Researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science use external dart tags and Rototags for tag-recapture studies of sharks collected during the VIMS VASMAP and COASTSPAN surveys. The majority of tagged animals are juvenile sandbar sharks, which are tagged with Hallprint nylon dart tags. These small dart tags are also used for smooth dogfish, Atlantic sharpnose sharks, and juveniles of other species. Supplementing these dart tags with a larger Rototag increases visibility to help ensure that anglers notice a tagged shark. Larger sharks—including adult sandbars, duskies, sand tigers and others—are tagged with Hallprint M-type stainless steel dart tags. 

Report a Tagged Shark

To report a tagged shark, use our Shark Tag Reporting Form. Fishers who report tag data are provided with a summary of shark research at VIMS, a detailed history of the animal they recaptured, and a map indicating the sites of tagging and recapture. Tag reporters also receive a water bottle as reward for their participation and commitment to fostering a collaborative research effort.

Shark Tag Recapture Map

Tag Types

layout table
nylon dart tag Hallprint Nylon dart tag for sharks less than 100 cm total length. Tag is placed below the dorsal fin along the lateral line.
blue roto tag Blue (or other color) rototag used to double-tag sharks in the COASTSPAN survey. Sharks greater than 100 cm in total length are tagged in the dorsal fin.

steel dart tag

 Hallprint stainless steel head dart tags for sharks greater than 100 cm total length. Tag is placed below the dorsal fin along the lateral line.

yellow roto tag

Yellow rototag used to double-tag sharks in the COASTSPAN survey. Sharks greater than 100 cm in total length are tagged in the dorsal fin

Research Highlights

  • Longest at liberty tagged shark at VIMS: 27 years, 3 months and 3 days. Tagged in the Mockhorn Bay, Eastern Shore, VA on September 24, 1996 at 66 cm total length. Recaptured off Boca Grande, FL on December 20, 2023 estimated at over 214 cm total length. 
  • Largest tagged shark at VIMS: Female Tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, measured 399 cm total length. Tagged approximately 27 km offshore of Virginia Beach at the Chesapeake Light Tower on August 21, 2023. 
  • A sandbar shark tagged by VIMS near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay was recaptured 6 years later in the northern Gulf of Mexico, 2,800 km from its tagging location.
  • Most sandbar sharks return each summer for at least 2 years to the nursery grounds where they were born. They may return to adjacent coastal waters for up to 9 years.
  • Juvenile sandbar sharks (ages 1-6) spend the winter off the coast of North Carolina within approximately 20 kilometers of shore. Older juveniles (ages 7-10) overwinter in waters as far as 60 km from shore.

References

Grubbs, R.D. and J.A. Musick. 2007. Spatial delineation of summer nursery areas for juvenile sandbar sharks in Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. In: C.T. McCandless, N.E. Kohler and H.L. Pratt, Jr. (eds). Shark nursery grounds of the Gulf of Mexico and the East Coast waters of the United States. ISBN: 1888569816. American Fisheries Society. Bethesda, MD.