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FAU Students Dive into Shark Tagging: A Hands-On Approach to Fisheries Science
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has taken the classroom to new depths, quite literally. Recently, graduate students from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science Elasmo Lab teamed up with their undergraduate peers from the University of South Florida’s Fish Biology Lab for an exciting four-day shark research expedition in Tampa Bay, Florida. The students were introduced to a multitude of fisheries techniques, such as longline fishing, drum line fishing, bottom trawling, fish identification, and, most thrillingly, shark tagging.
Hosted by the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) aboard their research vessel, the R/V WT Hogarth, the educational cruise gave students an unparalleled opportunity to gain hands-on experience in their field of study. The group successfully tagged 12 sharks and identified a wide variety of fish and invertebrates, marking a significant contribution to the west coast of Florida’s shark tagging efforts. The key to this project is the use of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-issued ID tags. These simple dart tags, which do not transmit, will provide valuable data if a fisherman later catches one of the tagged sharks and reports the tag number to NOAA.
Stephen Kajiura, Ph.D., a professor of biological sciences at FAU, expressed his joy at sharing this unique experience with his students. While he has been involved with FIO’s research cruises for two decades, his enthusiasm remains undimmed. He believes that giving students the chance to engage directly with sharks and other fish is a valuable learning experience. For many students, it was their first encounter with a live shark, making the tagging operation an unforgettable moment in their education.
The excursion was made possible thanks to support from various quarters, including the Department of Integrative Biology at USF, the Colgan Foundation, and the FAU WLW-ECOS Fund. The latter was established in 2024 through a generous donation from Wayne and Lucretia Weiner, aimed at creating opportunities for students dedicated to fostering a more sustainable future.
As FAU continues to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience, the future of fisheries science looks brighter with every tagged shark. By offering such opportunities, the university is not only advancing scientific knowledge but also inspiring the next generation of marine biologists and conservationists.</
