Elasmobranch Tagging Programme

Why Elasmobranch Tagging is Important?

Assessing the movements of mobile species is difficult. Our ability to determine where elasmobranch species go within the Northern Ireland marine area can often be limited to catch records, supported by recreational anglers. By deploying different types of tags, DAERA has the ability to gather crucial information not typically achievable through conventional methods. Catch and release tags (i.e. Floy tags) can give indications of movement between capture events whereas telemetry devices such as acoustic or satellite tags allow us to record fine scale movements, depth and temperature ranges, habitat association (by overlaying data with spatial habitat information), and migrations patterns over multi-year period. A summary of each type of tag used in this project is outlined below.

Floy Tags

These are small external plastic identification tags with a unique ID number and contact information printed. They are used to determine localised movement of an individual between point of release and recapture (mark-recapture). If a tagged animal is recaptured, its size, location and body condition should be forwarded to the email address on the tag (MarineConservation@daera-ni.gov.uk for DAERA tags).

Method

Attaching a Floy tag involves a careful and humane process to ensure minimal stress and injury to the animal. First, the shark/ray is restrained gently, either by hand or using a soft sling, ideally in water or on a wet surface to protect its skin and gills. The tag is inserted using a tagging pole or applicator into the dorsal musculature, just below the base of the dorsal fin. For skates/ rays, it is inserted in the wing muscle, roughly halfway between the body and wing tip. The insertion is swift and precise, avoiding vital organs and ensuring the tag is secure. After tagging, the shark/ray is monitored briefly for signs of distress before being released back into the water. Proper training, ethical handling, and adherence to local wildlife regulations are essential throughout the procedure. 

Pros	Cons
Simple and quick to attach.	Relies on public and fisheries reporting of recaptured individuals.
Allows basic information to be recorded e.g., growth rates, movement from last known location and longevity.	Does not provide data for time between captures.
Cost-effective.

Who can help?

Anglers, fisheries scientists, and coastal communities can play a major role by reporting tagged fish sightings or catches to DAERA using our online form or contacting directly at MarineConservation@daera-ni.gov.uk.

Acoustic Tags

These tags emit a unique acoustic signal, typically a series of coded pings, that are detected by acoustic receivers when within ~500m range, providing information on location and presence. Receivers can be “active” or “passive”.  Active receivers are mobile and used from a boat, able to track in real time. Passive receivers are fixed to a single location, either moored to the seabed or attached to existing infrastructure such as a mooring buoy. Acoustic tags have a battery life of ~3 years, and throughout this time continually emit their unique acoustic ID. They come in varying sizes, with the 13mm tag often used by DAERA.

Method

Deploying acoustic tags can be done in two ways, internally or externally. Internal deployment involves a minimally invasive surgical procedure under local anaesthetic. The shark/ ray is first captured and handled gently to reduce stress, often placed in an aerated water bath or holding tank. During surgery, a small incision is made on the ventral (under) side of the animal and sterilised tag inserted. The incision is sealed with 2-3 sutures. The fish in the placed back in the holding tank to recover before release. External tags contain an additional loop at the end to attached to a tether, which is inserted through the base of the dorsal fin. Rigorous sterilisation, tagging protocols and ethical considerations are essential to ensure the health of the animal and integrity of the data collected.

Acoustic receivers are routinely recovered and data downloaded, which will give a time-stamped record of any tagged animals that have passed within 500m over the previous 1-year period.

Pros	Cons
Tracks fine-scale movement patterns, habitat residency and site fidelity.	Individual must swim within 500m of the receiver to be detected.
Ideal for coastal and demersal species (e.g., skates, dogfish).	Will only record presence, no depth, temperature or wide scale movement data available.
Long battery life (tags- up to 3 years, receivers- 1 year).	Acoustic coverage is by the number of receivers deployed in a study area.
Supports collaborative tracking networks across jurisdictions.	Specific license required from Department of Health under Animal Scientific Procedures Act (1986) to deploy tags.

Satellite Tags

These tags are a type of pop-up archive tag, which records and stores parameters such as depth, temperature, light level and location at set intervals (typically between 10-30 seconds). They are programmed to release from the animal after a predetermined number of days and transmit data back to DAERA via satellite. The satellite tags used in this project have been scheduled for a 330-day deployment period before “popping off” and floating to the surface.

Method

The animal is first captured and restrained in water or on a padded surface to minimise stress. The tag is then secured to the dorsal musculature using a tether and anchor system, often involving a dart inserted beneath the skin. Care is taken to position the tag for optimal transmission while ensuring it does not impede the animal’s natural movement. After deployment, the animal is monitored briefly and released, with the tag programmed to detach after a set period (330 days for this project) or under specific conditions such as a mortality event. Ethical handling, species-specific considerations, and adherence to tagging protocols are essential for successful deployment and reliable data collection.

Pros	Cons
Satellite tags help track fine-scale movement and behaviour over an extended period of time.	Costly to deploy.
They record depth, temperature, and light-level data to infer habitat association and movement patterns.	Specific license required from Department of Health under the Animal Scientific Procedures Act (1986) to deploy tags.
Appropriate for highly mobile species.
Supports international cooperation on migratory species.

Tagging Regulations and Licensing

There are two main regulatory drivers that the Department’s Elasmobranch tagging programme operates under;

1. Personal and project licences granted under Animal Scientific Procedures Act (1986).
2. Marine wildlife license is required under The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. This permits the targeting of flapper skate to aid with conservation efforts; allowing recreational anglers to assist DAERA with tagging efforts and contributing towards conservation measures. It is important to note that licenses granted under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 only permit the targeting of flapper skate, but does not permit tagging with acoustic or satellite tags.   

For marine wildlife license applications - Wildlife licence application form

Code of Best Practice

In the event of catching an elasmobranch, safe handling and best code of practice is critical to minimise harm to the animal, ensure personal safety and aid conservation efforts;

• Always act with caution.
• Avoid bringing large sharks or skates fully out of the water unless necessary, every effort to practice safe handling should be made.
• Be aware of sensitive areas on the animal.
• Avoid lifting by the tail or gills.
• Place one hand on the tail and support the body (belly) with the other hand when moving.
• Record key details; date and time, location (latitude and longitude), water depth, species (The Shark Trust ID guidance provided below), sex (look for claspers on males), size (length and girth). A template is provided for reporting your catch data - Sea angling data collection form. 

How You Can Get Involved

Every effort should be made to report sightings and catches of elasmobranch species (alive or dead) as well as any eggs cases observed, both on land and in the water.

• In Northern Ireland, reports can be submitted directly to; 

CEDaR - info@nationalmuseumsni.org

DAERA - MarineConservation@daera-ni.gov.uk

Ulster Wildlife - info@ulsterwildlife.org

• Include photographs to allow for species verification.
• Information should include date, location, and activity.
• Practice Responsible Fishing: Release elasmobranchs unharmed, especially protected or vulnerable species. Barbless hooks should also be used.
• Volunteer or Collaborate: Contact us if you're interested in supporting tagging efforts.
• Recreational anglers can submit their catch records of elasmobranchs to DAERA Marine Conservation Team.
• See The Shark Trust online identification guides- eggcase preparation, identification and characterisation as detailed here; Shark ID Guides | The Shark Trust.
• The Shark Trust carry out shark and skate egg case surveys to help identify spawning and nursery grounds Shark Trust Great Eggcase Hunt.
• Skatespotter App is an online photo ID catalogue and database for Flapper skate.

Reporting

For the reporting of dead or stranded elasmobranchs, wildlife licence requests and any queries relating to marine wildlife please contact:

• Marine Conservation Team - MarineConservation@daera-ni.gov.uk
• Marine Wildlife Team - Marine.Wildlife@daera-ni.gov.uk
• Telephone number  +44 (0)28 90569269/+44 (0)28 90569421
• Marine Conservation Team,
  DAERA Marine and Fisheries Division,
  Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
  Clare House
  303 Airport Road West
  Belfast BT3 9ED

To report a wildlife crime (Common Skate) please visit New wildlife crime leaflet to protect the Common Skate.

Additional Resources

• Consultation on the Elasmobranch Conservation Strategy for Northern Ireland.
• Marine Wildlife Disturbance Guidance Documents.

• List of Northern Ireland Priority Species (see ‘Selection Criteria’ tab for justification for why each species was chosen).
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) retains the most comprehensive and up to date inventory of species conservation status’ globally. Ranking on the IUCN Red List is a critical indicator to understanding the threats facing these species.
• More information: Protecting Marine Biodiversity.