How Do I Tag A Small Dolphin?
    Anglers should never try to tag a small dolphin while the fish is in the water or dangling from the hook. This is not a good practice.    Attempting to implant the nylon dart tag into a fish not fully under control could result in poor tag placement.  Proper insertion of the tag into the fish's back muscle requires the fish to be against a solid surface. This provides the needed resistance to implant the tag in the correct position.  Proper tag placement cannot be accomplished on small fish without the fish being immobilized.  Tags are also easily lost out of the applicator under these conditions. We urge anglers to immobilize these fish and place against a solid surface to ensure a successful tag implant.    The first step toward correctly tagging dolphin is to have the tag in the applicator, a wet towel and a measuring device ready before the fish is brought into the boat.  Place the wet towel over the fish's eyes while it is still hanging from the hook. Lay the fish on a wet, smooth, flat surface with the measuring device under it or immediately adjacent. The smooth, wet surface reduces slime loss and the measuring device allows for a quick, accurate length assessment.    
   The tag should be placed about one-third of the length of the fish behind the fish's head. The point of the tag should be inserted at a 45 degrees angle toward the fish's head with the tag's barb down, pointing toward the fish's tail (see photo).  The tag should be inserted deep enough so that the barb passes between the spines that radiate off the backbone. Care should be taken not to hit the spine itself. The hook should be removed and the fish immediately returned to the water. The last and most important step is to record the data related to the fish on the proper card.

Tagging Dolphin Larger Than 14 Pounds
    Large dolphin (fish over 14 pounds and roughly 36 inches fork length) should be tagged in the water.  Attempting to boat a large dolphin in order to tag is not wise.  Dolphin are extremely strong and can be violent when boated. Boating such a fish will likely result in injuries to either fish or fisherman or both.
    A tag with a stainless steel dart-style head (the "A" tag used in the S.C. Marine Game Fish Tagging Program) is used to tag large dolphin. The flat stainless steel dart is designed to anchor firmly in the musculature of the fish's back.  Attached to the dart is a six inch long yellow polypropylene streamer that bears a unique serial number along with instructions on where to report the tag recovery.  
    When tagging a dolphin in the water, the vessel should continue its forward motion as the fish is brought along side, helping to subdue the fish by keeping it swimming while beside the boat. Tagging should not be attempted until the fish has settled down and presents a clear, stable view of its side. Tagging a large fish is best accomplished as follows:
--Position yourself between the person holding the leader and the boat's stern. 
--Insert the tag at an angle toward the fish's head so as to have the external streamer
  angling backwards toward its tail.
--Insert the tag to a depth of 1 3/4" to 2" to insure that it is firmly anchored.
--Always insert the steel dart so that the "V" notch on its rear edge points towards the 
  fish's tail.  
-- Make sure to place the tag about one-third the fish's length behind the head in the back muscle well above the spine.
    Before releasing the fish, get a good fork length and weight estimate.   The hook should be removed if it can be done safely, otherwise, the leader should be cut as close to the hook as possible. Immediately following release, the date of release, location, and angler plus the fish's length and weight should be recorded on the tag reporting card.
   
NOTE:  It is very important that the project study receives precise data on each fish marked to maximize the value of each recapture.  Latitude and Longitude is critical for positioning along with water temperature, and a measured fork length for the fish.  Information on the amount of Sargassum present within a 1,000 foot radius of the boat is very important to document the relationship it has with dolphin. Please print clearly on the card.  If you tag several fish at one time in one location, complete one card with location, temperature and Sargassum data and reference this tag card number on each subsequent card.


® Copyright 2005 - 2007. CSS, LLC