At the Sea Trail Fishing Club’s May meeting Ami Staples of NC’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources presented an excellent program about fish tagging and the benefits that the program has for recreational fisherfolk.
Division researchers at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries are studying the migration, growth, habitat use and population status of striped bass, red drum, spotted seatrout, southern flounder, and cobia in North Carolina.
Fish tagging programs are a vital part of a fishery manager’s tools for assessing fish populations. Conducted properly, tagging can yield a wealth of information about movement patterns, habitat utilization, population structure and mortality rates of fish.
Volunteers are needed in the Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach area! If you are interested in becoming a part of this program or have questions about the North Carolina Tagging Program or volunteer tagging opportunities, please contact the Tagging Biologist, Ami Staples, at 252-948-3913 or Ami.Staples@ncdenr.gov.
All applicants must complete an in-person, hands-on training before becoming an eligible volunteer tagger and receiving your tagging kit. Training classes are offered twice a year during the spring and fall, and last about 3 hours. Division staff give a brief overview of the Tagging Program, discuss tagging procedures and how to record data, and demonstrate proper handling and tagging techniques with real fish specimens.
To submit an application, click on the link below:
Sea Trail Fishing Club 