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<p>Biologging studies of sharks have traditionally relied on animal capture and restraint to deploy fin-mounted satellite-linked transmitters, approaches that may induce stress, behavioral alterations, and post-release mortality. Here we evaluate a method for remotely deploying dorsal fin-mounted satellite transmitters on free-swimming sharks without capture and handling. This technique employed a modified Low Impact Minimally Percutaneous Electronic Transmitter (LIMPET) tagging system, originally developed for cetaceans, to deliver modified Smart Positioning and Temperature (SPOT) transmitting tags to the dorsal fins of free-swimming white sharks (<i>Carcharodon carcharias</i>). We detail the tagging system configuration, including transmitter modifications, deployment hardware, calibration procedures, and field protocols designed to maximize accuracy and attachment success. Field deployments on six sharks resulted in tag deployment with no observable behavioral signs of stress. Tag performance was influenced by placement location on the fin and dart penetration, with deployments near the dorsal fin apex and leading edge improving retention and transmission efficiency. We discuss the strengths and limitations of this approach, the types of species and study applications it’s best suited for and provide recommendations to improve transmitter design and deployment techniques for sharks. This method offers a less-invasive alternative to conventional fin-mounted shark tagging techniques requiring capture and applicable for shorter-term movement studies of large, surface-oriented species where capture and restraint are impractical or may compromise animal welfare or study objectives.</p>

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Implementation of an air-powered tagging technique for free-swimming sharks with satellite-linked transmitters

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月19日

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  • Neil Hammerschlag,
  • Margaret Mckenna

摘要

Biologging studies of sharks have traditionally relied on animal capture and restraint to deploy fin-mounted satellite-linked transmitters, approaches that may induce stress, behavioral alterations, and post-release mortality. Here we evaluate a method for remotely deploying dorsal fin-mounted satellite transmitters on free-swimming sharks without capture and handling. This technique employed a modified Low Impact Minimally Percutaneous Electronic Transmitter (LIMPET) tagging system, originally developed for cetaceans, to deliver modified Smart Positioning and Temperature (SPOT) transmitting tags to the dorsal fins of free-swimming white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias). We detail the tagging system configuration, including transmitter modifications, deployment hardware, calibration procedures, and field protocols designed to maximize accuracy and attachment success. Field deployments on six sharks resulted in tag deployment with no observable behavioral signs of stress. Tag performance was influenced by placement location on the fin and dart penetration, with deployments near the dorsal fin apex and leading edge improving retention and transmission efficiency. We discuss the strengths and limitations of this approach, the types of species and study applications it’s best suited for and provide recommendations to improve transmitter design and deployment techniques for sharks. This method offers a less-invasive alternative to conventional fin-mounted shark tagging techniques requiring capture and applicable for shorter-term movement studies of large, surface-oriented species where capture and restraint are impractical or may compromise animal welfare or study objectives.