27/10/2024
Look out for beached or floating tags…….
Coastwatchers ALERT to look for Shark & Skate Satellite Tags - we have a special request from Dr Danielle Orrell, Senior Postdoctoral Researcher, with the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at University College Cork. Danielle and the team are currently on the look out for satellite tags that have popped off tagged tope sharks and skate. The tags were attached earlier this year, and after a predetermined period they pop off the animal leaving it none the wiser (via a corrodible pin in the bottom of the tag). One of these tags has potentially beached on Killiney Beach, Co. Dublin and the other will likely make landfall near Baltimore, Co. Cork. They would be very appreciative if during surveys you keep an eye out for them - best to take with you and also photograph so Danielle can verify. The tags are about 12cm long and 4cm wide, with a long black antenna out of one end. They are painted grey – see attached photo. We aim to use the data collected by these tags to understand the movements of these species better and in turn identify appropriate conservation management measures Marie Louise Heffernan Mick Wren Éanna Hyland Strandhill Surf School Ulster Wildlife
