Names of people in your team:

_____________________________________________________________________________

It is your responsibility to tag and release the shark. Follow the steps below to successfully complete the procedure. Write ALL the data in the appropriate spaces below on the shark tagging data sheet.

1. Identify the species of the shark.

2. Look at the map. Record the location where the shark was captured using longitude and latitude, continent, country and region if possible.

3. Using the Total Length (TL) Illustration for Four Shark Measurements, measure the shark using centimeters:

PCL (pre-caudal length) , measured from the nose to the beginning of the tail

FL (fork length) , measured from the nose to the end of the fork or "V" of the tail

TL (total length), measured from the nose to the top tip of the tail

STL(stretch total length) ,measured from the nose to the top tip of the tail bent down

4. Record the date the shark was captured. Indicate whether you caught it early or late in the day.

5. Determine if the shark is male or female. Males have two external finger-like structures called claspers below their bodies attached to the back of the pelvic fins. Record its Reproductive Condition or relative age: Neonatal (new-born);Immature (not sexually reproductive); Mature (reproductive adult).

6. Scientists normally record the shark's condition/health when they catch it. Sharks can be harmed in the capturing and release process or they may already show symptoms of ill health. A shark's Condition/health may be good, fair, poor, very bad or dead.

7. Stomach contents: Scientists frequently record the contents of a shark's stomach to see what they have eaten recently.

8. Scientists record the type of gear used to capture specimens. Gear can include fishing lines, nets, gill nets and a variety of hooks. Shark researchers use specialized fishing gear chosen to cause the least damage when sharks are caught and released.

9. Record the tag number.

10. Look at the other data that the previous scientist has recorded for your shark, if any. Record this data for future reference.

11. Tag the shark right below the first dorsal fin.

12. Move on to Phase II and create a hypothesis about the migration of this shark.