In 2010 Sportvisserij Nederland, the Dutch recreational angling union, and IMARES Wageningen (Institute for Marine Resources & Ecosystem Studies) started a research project, focused on the population of smooth-hound sharks in the North Sea. All sharks, caught with a rod by recreational anglers during charter trips, get a tag with a unique number. Aim: a good estimate of the smooth-hound shark numbers along the Dutch North Sea coast and map the migration behaviour of Mustelus species through re-catch.
Sharkatag 2013
August 7, 8 and 9 brought another edition of Sharkatag to the Dutch waters. Each day, 11 vessels left Neeltje Jans to go fishing for sharks. The Dutch Shark Society had the honour of being invited on board on August 7 and 8, and used this great opportunity to document the research and meet Dutch shark anglers. Whatever your opinion about recreational angling in the Netherlands is: we were impressed by the knowledge of the fishermen, their careful handling of sharks and their enthusiasm for shark conservation. The valuable data collected will serve shark conservation. 800 sharks have already been tagged during charter trips and Sharkatag 2012. During Sharkatag 2013, 210 sharks were tagged, and that means the 1000th shark was tagged during this event! Dutch Shark Society Photographer Peter Verhoog made an extensive photo report of one of the Sharkatag trips.
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- Tags, registration list and pincer
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- Ray released again
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- Dasyatis Pastinaca * Caught, measured and released *
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- Lifted into the boat carefully
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- Close-up
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- Close-up
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- Skipper René de Back holds the catch
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- Another happy angler
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- Tagged and measured shark
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- Measuring the shark
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- Everyone gets instructions for ‘proper shark handling’
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- Carefully lifted into the boat
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- The shark under water
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- 11 vessels participated
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- Waiting for sharks
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- Rods over board!
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- Throwing in the line
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- Preparing the bait. Live bait is not used.
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- Waiting in the sluice
On ‘our’ boat, the Pirate II, two rays of the species Dasyatis Pastinaca were caught, registered, measured and release again. It is the intention to Sportvisserij Nederland to tag rays in future to set up conservation projects.
The Dutch Shark Society wants to thank Sportvisserij Nederland and skipper René de Back and all anglers for this great opportunity to document research, their assistance and enthusiasm! Shark tagging will continue until October on 15 vessels, and interested anglers can contact the skippers.
