Do You Have What it Takes to be a Shark Tagger?

Have you ever dreamed of working with sharks? Although marine biology is the most likely field to get you up close and personal with these fish, there are other jobs out there that involve working around sharks. For example, researchers often lead teams of people to tag sharks. Shark taggers use a spear that shoots a tag near a shark’s dorsal fin. In addition to volunteer opportunities to become a shark tagger, there are also other shark-related jobs in which shark tagging is an important task.

What Researchers Learn From Shark Tagging

As apex predators, sharks play an important role in the ocean’s ecosystems. Researchers tag shark and ray species to learn a variety of things about the marine animals. For one thing, tracking shark movement helps with conservation efforts. Tagging sharks can also help us understand the role climate change has on shark populations and what can be done to protect them.

According to NOAA, knowing where sharks have been and where they are going helps scientists learn things such as how far they migrate or where their coastal habitats are and when they use them. This information tells conservation groups where to focus their energy to best help sharks.

Who Tags Sharks?

There are a variety of researchers from universities and other conservation groups that lead teams to tag sharks and collect data. For example, NOAA Fisheries’ Cooperative Shark Tagging Program has been tagging sharks since 1993. The project offers internships in Panama City, Florida for graduate and undergraduate students. Interns assist biologists in tagging sharks and other duties.

Another option for students interested in a biology degree is the Shark Lab at California State University in Long Beach. This team frequently conducts shark tagging operations on great white sharks. To work for the Shark Lab, you must be a student working towards your Master’s degree in biology.

If you don’t want to get a biology degree, sometimes researchers will hire scientific divers to help them conduct research. However, it’s important to note that scientific divers undergo much more intensive training and classes than recreational divers.

You Can Pay to Tag Sharks

It’s the ultimate vacation for a shark lover. The charity group, Saving the Blue offers a research expedition in the Bahamas. For $3,000, you can become a research assistant on an ocean expedition. Led by a scientist, you’ll get to participate in research activities, which may include tagging sharks.

However, don’t expect to spend your days relaxing boatside on this trip. Saving the Blue expects its assistants to work hard and actively participate in their research and conservation efforts.

Jobs For Shark Enthusiasts

People who tag sharks are likely to be marine biologists, shark researchers, or students studying biology. However, tagging sharks isn’t the only way to have a career around sharks.

Although you are limited to certain parts of the world where shark research is conducted, there are a variety of roles. Some ideas include marine biologists, wildlife photographers, scientific scuba divers, or dive tour operators. However, if you are out of school and looking to break into the field later in life, you may want to start out looking for volunteer opportunities to get your foot in the door with some experience.