Folks have been querying how to report recaptured tagged fish. The procedure is as follows:

· If the fish is healthy, rather release it again, but treat it very carefully. Place it on a wet towel, don’t let it flap around the deck.

· If the tag is encrusted with marine growth and can’t be seen, this can be carefully scraped off without damaging the writing.

Details must be sent to the Tagging Officer, ORI, Durban e-mail: oritag@ori.org.za and sdunlop@ori.org.za telephonic enquiries can be made to 031 328 8159 or Stuart’s personal number 079 529 0711. Rather sms him than hassle him with telephone calls.

The critical information they need to know is as follows:

· Species of captured or tagged fish;

· Tag number;

· Locality where it was captured, including approximate distance off-shore;

· Date of capture;

· Fork length, measured from tip of snout to fork of tail (if you make a mistake and measure total length from tip of snout to end of tail, then advise that Total Length has been recorded – they have a conversion method.

· Precaudal length – presumably sharks, dunno what that is;

· Disc width for rays;

· Weight of fish if killed;

· Remarks – such as whether or not the fish was healthy, any signs of infection in the tag wound, etc.

Other information of interest to them is as follows:

· Depth at which fish was captured;

· Angler’s name;

· Angler’s address;

· Skipper’s name;

· Boat name;

· Club;

· Contact details for the person submitting the return;

· Photographs of the fish would also assist.

· If the fish is killed, take note of the tag wound and any infection when filleting and photograph this.

· If the fish is killed, keep the tag and post it on to ORI, PO Box 10712, Marine Parade. 4056. Kwazulu-Natal

Please spread this information around the Clubs and socially amongst fishermen.

Cheers,

John.

John Rance
Environmental Officer
Border Deep Sea Angling Association (Affiliated to SADSAA)
Email jcrance@rancetimber.co.za
PO Box 18, Stutterheim, 4930, South Africa
Tel: 043 - 683 5202
Fax: 043 - 683 5266

Electronic Recapture Information Spreadsheet

Tag Return Information Report Form