As part of the projects, all available tag release-recapture data available from shark tag releases during 1947-56, 1973-76, and 1990-99 have been validated and consolidated in the Southern Shark Tag Database developed in Microsoft ACCESS. The database is routinely updated and has facility for preparing data summaries and extracting data for analysis. Basic summaries with graphical plots and vector analysis of the tag data available to the end of 1999 are presented in a companion report to the present report. The companion report is designed for distribution to all professional shark fishers and other parts of the fishing industry, and is an update and extension to the report provided to FRDC during 1997 for the Southern Shark Tagging Project (FRDC 93/066).

The companion report demonstrates that the first two objectives of the Southern Shark Tag Database Project (FRDC 96/162) were met completely. The present report demonstrates that the third objective of this project was met. The present report provides the results of modelling with tag and other data and specifically explicitly addresses the three overarching objects of both tagging projects.

By the end of 1999, a total of 28 different shark and ray species had been tagged in southern Australia. Most of the 12442 sharks and rays tagged during 1990-99 were gummy sharks (7047) and school sharks (2686). Tag recapture rates are higher for commercial sized gummy sharks (23% for males and 25% for females) than for commercial sized school sharks (19% for males and 21 % for females). About 10% the sharks (1157) were double tagged for estimating tag shedding rates.

Tag shedding rates were addressed through double-tag experiments as part of the tag projects. Rototags and jumbo tags attached to the anterior lower portion of the first dorsal fin of sharks during 1990-99 were highly successful with shedding rates at 8% per year. Similarly, internal tags inserted into the coelomic cavity of sharks during 1947-56 and 1973-76 were successful in that they were not shed; however, they were not always seen by fishers when the sharks were caught. Peterson disc fin tags attached to the first dorsal fins during 1947-56 had very high shedding rates at 66% per annum on school shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into dorsal muscle tissue of sharks during 1990-99 had high shedding rates at 41% per year for school shark and 63% per year for gummy shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into the cartilage at the base of the first dorsal fin during 1990-99 rather than in the dorsal musculature halved the shedding rates. A range of other types of tags were used during 1990-99 in insufficient numbers to estimate shedding rates.

Apart from meeting the three overarching objectives, the data provide a valuable resource that can be subjected to ongoing analyses. Already the data have been used in ways unforeseen at the time of seeking the application for grant from FRDC. Models developed through SharkFAG allow the tag data to be incorporated directly into stock assessments and have markedly reduced uncertainty in the assessments.

As part of the projects, all available tag release-recapture data available from shark tag releases during 1947-56, 1973-76, and 1990-99 have been validated and consolidated in the Southern Shark Tag Database developed in Microsoft ACCESS. The database is routinely updated and has facility for preparing data summaries and extracting data for analysis. Basic summaries with graphical plots and vector analysis of the tag data available to the end of 1999 are presented in a companion report to the present report. The companion report is designed for distribution to all professional shark fishers and other parts of the fishing industry, and is an update and extension to the report provided to FRDC during 1997 for the Southern Shark Tagging Project (FRDC 93/066).

The companion report demonstrates that the first two objectives of the Southern Shark Tag Database Project (FRDC 96/162) were met completely. The present report demonstrates that the third objective of this project was met. The present report provides the results of modelling with tag and other data and specifically explicitly addresses the three overarching objects of both tagging projects.

By the end of 1999, a total of 28 different shark and ray species had been tagged in southern Australia. Most of the 12442 sharks and rays tagged during 1990-99 were gummy sharks (7047) and school sharks (2686). Tag recapture rates are higher for commercial sized gummy sharks (23% for males and 25% for females) than for commercial sized school sharks (19% for males and 21 % for females). About 10% the sharks (1157) were double tagged for estimating tag shedding rates.

Tag shedding rates were addressed through double-tag experiments as part of the tag projects. Rototags and jumbo tags attached to the anterior lower portion of the first dorsal fin of sharks during 1990-99 were highly successful with shedding rates at 8% per year. Similarly, internal tags inserted into the coelomic cavity of sharks during 1947-56 and 1973-76 were successful in that they were not shed; however, they were not always seen by fishers when the sharks were caught. Peterson disc fin tags attached to the first dorsal fins during 1947-56 had very high shedding rates at 66% per annum on school shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into dorsal muscle tissue of sharks during 1990-99 had high shedding rates at 41% per year for school shark and 63% per year for gummy shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into the cartilage at the base of the first dorsal fin during 1990-99 rather than in the dorsal musculature halved the shedding rates. A range of other types of tags were used during 1990-99 in insufficient numbers to estimate shedding rates.

Apart from meeting the three overarching objectives, the data provide a valuable resource that can be subjected to ongoing analyses. Already the data have been used in ways unforeseen at the time of seeking the application for grant from FRDC. Models developed through SharkFAG allow the tag data to be incorporated directly into stock assessments and have markedly reduced uncertainty in the assessments.

As part of the projects, all available tag release-recapture data available from shark tag releases during 1947-56, 1973-76, and 1990-99 have been validated and consolidated in the Southern Shark Tag Database developed in Microsoft ACCESS. The database is routinely updated and has facility for preparing data summaries and extracting data for analysis. Basic summaries with graphical plots and vector analysis of the tag data available to the end of 1999 are presented in a companion report to the present report. The companion report is designed for distribution to all professional shark fishers and other parts of the fishing industry, and is an update and extension to the report provided to FRDC during 1997 for the Southern Shark Tagging Project (FRDC 93/066).

The companion report demonstrates that the first two objectives of the Southern Shark Tag Database Project (FRDC 96/162) were met completely. The present report demonstrates that the third objective of this project was met. The present report provides the results of modelling with tag and other data and specifically explicitly addresses the three overarching objects of both tagging projects.

By the end of 1999, a total of 28 different shark and ray species had been tagged in southern Australia. Most of the 12442 sharks and rays tagged during 1990-99 were gummy sharks (7047) and school sharks (2686). Tag recapture rates are higher for commercial sized gummy sharks (23% for males and 25% for females) than for commercial sized school sharks (19% for males and 21 % for females). About 10% the sharks (1157) were double tagged for estimating tag shedding rates.

Tag shedding rates were addressed through double-tag experiments as part of the tag projects. Rototags and jumbo tags attached to the anterior lower portion of the first dorsal fin of sharks during 1990-99 were highly successful with shedding rates at 8% per year. Similarly, internal tags inserted into the coelomic cavity of sharks during 1947-56 and 1973-76 were successful in that they were not shed; however, they were not always seen by fishers when the sharks were caught. Peterson disc fin tags attached to the first dorsal fins during 1947-56 had very high shedding rates at 66% per annum on school shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into dorsal muscle tissue of sharks during 1990-99 had high shedding rates at 41% per year for school shark and 63% per year for gummy shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into the cartilage at the base of the first dorsal fin during 1990-99 rather than in the dorsal musculature halved the shedding rates. A range of other types of tags were used during 1990-99 in insufficient numbers to estimate shedding rates.

Apart from meeting the three overarching objectives, the data provide a valuable resource that can be subjected to ongoing analyses. Already the data have been used in ways unforeseen at the time of seeking the application for grant from FRDC. Models developed through SharkFAG allow the tag data to be incorporated directly into stock assessments and have markedly reduced uncertainty in the assessments.

As part of the projects, all available tag release-recapture data available from shark tag releases during 1947-56, 1973-76, and 1990-99 have been validated and consolidated in the Southern Shark Tag Database developed in Microsoft ACCESS. The database is routinely updated and has facility for preparing data summaries and extracting data for analysis. Basic summaries with graphical plots and vector analysis of the tag data available to the end of 1999 are presented in a companion report to the present report. The companion report is designed for distribution to all professional shark fishers and other parts of the fishing industry, and is an update and extension to the report provided to FRDC during 1997 for the Southern Shark Tagging Project (FRDC 93/066).

The companion report demonstrates that the first two objectives of the Southern Shark Tag Database Project (FRDC 96/162) were met completely. The present report demonstrates that the third objective of this project was met. The present report provides the results of modelling with tag and other data and specifically explicitly addresses the three overarching objects of both tagging projects.

By the end of 1999, a total of 28 different shark and ray species had been tagged in southern Australia. Most of the 12442 sharks and rays tagged during 1990-99 were gummy sharks (7047) and school sharks (2686). Tag recapture rates are higher for commercial sized gummy sharks (23% for males and 25% for females) than for commercial sized school sharks (19% for males and 21 % for females). About 10% the sharks (1157) were double tagged for estimating tag shedding rates.

Tag shedding rates were addressed through double-tag experiments as part of the tag projects. Rototags and jumbo tags attached to the anterior lower portion of the first dorsal fin of sharks during 1990-99 were highly successful with shedding rates at 8% per year. Similarly, internal tags inserted into the coelomic cavity of sharks during 1947-56 and 1973-76 were successful in that they were not shed; however, they were not always seen by fishers when the sharks were caught. Peterson disc fin tags attached to the first dorsal fins during 1947-56 had very high shedding rates at 66% per annum on school shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into dorsal muscle tissue of sharks during 1990-99 had high shedding rates at 41% per year for school shark and 63% per year for gummy shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into the cartilage at the base of the first dorsal fin during 1990-99 rather than in the dorsal musculature halved the shedding rates. A range of other types of tags were used during 1990-99 in insufficient numbers to estimate shedding rates.

Apart from meeting the three overarching objectives, the data provide a valuable resource that can be subjected to ongoing analyses. Already the data have been used in ways unforeseen at the time of seeking the application for grant from FRDC. Models developed through SharkFAG allow the tag data to be incorporated directly into stock assessments and have markedly reduced uncertainty in the assessments.

As part of the projects, all available tag release-recapture data available from shark tag releases during 1947-56, 1973-76, and 1990-99 have been validated and consolidated in the Southern Shark Tag Database developed in Microsoft ACCESS. The database is routinely updated and has facility for preparing data summaries and extracting data for analysis. Basic summaries with graphical plots and vector analysis of the tag data available to the end of 1999 are presented in a companion report to the present report. The companion report is designed for distribution to all professional shark fishers and other parts of the fishing industry, and is an update and extension to the report provided to FRDC during 1997 for the Southern Shark Tagging Project (FRDC 93/066).

The companion report demonstrates that the first two objectives of the Southern Shark Tag Database Project (FRDC 96/162) were met completely. The present report demonstrates that the third objective of this project was met. The present report provides the results of modelling with tag and other data and specifically explicitly addresses the three overarching objects of both tagging projects.

By the end of 1999, a total of 28 different shark and ray species had been tagged in southern Australia. Most of the 12442 sharks and rays tagged during 1990-99 were gummy sharks (7047) and school sharks (2686). Tag recapture rates are higher for commercial sized gummy sharks (23% for males and 25% for females) than for commercial sized school sharks (19% for males and 21 % for females). About 10% the sharks (1157) were double tagged for estimating tag shedding rates.

Tag shedding rates were addressed through double-tag experiments as part of the tag projects. Rototags and jumbo tags attached to the anterior lower portion of the first dorsal fin of sharks during 1990-99 were highly successful with shedding rates at 8% per year. Similarly, internal tags inserted into the coelomic cavity of sharks during 1947-56 and 1973-76 were successful in that they were not shed; however, they were not always seen by fishers when the sharks were caught. Peterson disc fin tags attached to the first dorsal fins during 1947-56 had very high shedding rates at 66% per annum on school shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into dorsal muscle tissue of sharks during 1990-99 had high shedding rates at 41% per year for school shark and 63% per year for gummy shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into the cartilage at the base of the first dorsal fin during 1990-99 rather than in the dorsal musculature halved the shedding rates. A range of other types of tags were used during 1990-99 in insufficient numbers to estimate shedding rates.

Apart from meeting the three overarching objectives, the data provide a valuable resource that can be subjected to ongoing analyses. Already the data have been used in ways unforeseen at the time of seeking the application for grant from FRDC. Models developed through SharkFAG allow the tag data to be incorporated directly into stock assessments and have markedly reduced uncertainty in the assessments.

As part of the projects, all available tag release-recapture data available from shark tag releases during 1947-56, 1973-76, and 1990-99 have been validated and consolidated in the Southern Shark Tag Database developed in Microsoft ACCESS. The database is routinely updated and has facility for preparing data summaries and extracting data for analysis. Basic summaries with graphical plots and vector analysis of the tag data available to the end of 1999 are presented in a companion report to the present report. The companion report is designed for distribution to all professional shark fishers and other parts of the fishing industry, and is an update and extension to the report provided to FRDC during 1997 for the Southern Shark Tagging Project (FRDC 93/066).

The companion report demonstrates that the first two objectives of the Southern Shark Tag Database Project (FRDC 96/162) were met completely. The present report demonstrates that the third objective of this project was met. The present report provides the results of modelling with tag and other data and specifically explicitly addresses the three overarching objects of both tagging projects.

By the end of 1999, a total of 28 different shark and ray species had been tagged in southern Australia. Most of the 12442 sharks and rays tagged during 1990-99 were gummy sharks (7047) and school sharks (2686). Tag recapture rates are higher for commercial sized gummy sharks (23% for males and 25% for females) than for commercial sized school sharks (19% for males and 21 % for females). About 10% the sharks (1157) were double tagged for estimating tag shedding rates.

Tag shedding rates were addressed through double-tag experiments as part of the tag projects. Rototags and jumbo tags attached to the anterior lower portion of the first dorsal fin of sharks during 1990-99 were highly successful with shedding rates at 8% per year. Similarly, internal tags inserted into the coelomic cavity of sharks during 1947-56 and 1973-76 were successful in that they were not shed; however, they were not always seen by fishers when the sharks were caught. Peterson disc fin tags attached to the first dorsal fins during 1947-56 had very high shedding rates at 66% per annum on school shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into dorsal muscle tissue of sharks during 1990-99 had high shedding rates at 41% per year for school shark and 63% per year for gummy shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into the cartilage at the base of the first dorsal fin during 1990-99 rather than in the dorsal musculature halved the shedding rates. A range of other types of tags were used during 1990-99 in insufficient numbers to estimate shedding rates.

Apart from meeting the three overarching objectives, the data provide a valuable resource that can be subjected to ongoing analyses. Already the data have been used in ways unforeseen at the time of seeking the application for grant from FRDC. Models developed through SharkFAG allow the tag data to be incorporated directly into stock assessments and have markedly reduced uncertainty in the assessments.

As part of the projects, all available tag release-recapture data available from shark tag releases during 1947-56, 1973-76, and 1990-99 have been validated and consolidated in the Southern Shark Tag Database developed in Microsoft ACCESS. The database is routinely updated and has facility for preparing data summaries and extracting data for analysis. Basic summaries with graphical plots and vector analysis of the tag data available to the end of 1999 are presented in a companion report to the present report. The companion report is designed for distribution to all professional shark fishers and other parts of the fishing industry, and is an update and extension to the report provided to FRDC during 1997 for the Southern Shark Tagging Project (FRDC 93/066).

The companion report demonstrates that the first two objectives of the Southern Shark Tag Database Project (FRDC 96/162) were met completely. The present report demonstrates that the third objective of this project was met. The present report provides the results of modelling with tag and other data and specifically explicitly addresses the three overarching objects of both tagging projects.

By the end of 1999, a total of 28 different shark and ray species had been tagged in southern Australia. Most of the 12442 sharks and rays tagged during 1990-99 were gummy sharks (7047) and school sharks (2686). Tag recapture rates are higher for commercial sized gummy sharks (23% for males and 25% for females) than for commercial sized school sharks (19% for males and 21 % for females). About 10% the sharks (1157) were double tagged for estimating tag shedding rates.

Tag shedding rates were addressed through double-tag experiments as part of the tag projects. Rototags and jumbo tags attached to the anterior lower portion of the first dorsal fin of sharks during 1990-99 were highly successful with shedding rates at 8% per year. Similarly, internal tags inserted into the coelomic cavity of sharks during 1947-56 and 1973-76 were successful in that they were not shed; however, they were not always seen by fishers when the sharks were caught. Peterson disc fin tags attached to the first dorsal fins during 1947-56 had very high shedding rates at 66% per annum on school shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into dorsal muscle tissue of sharks during 1990-99 had high shedding rates at 41% per year for school shark and 63% per year for gummy shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into the cartilage at the base of the first dorsal fin during 1990-99 rather than in the dorsal musculature halved the shedding rates. A range of other types of tags were used during 1990-99 in insufficient numbers to estimate shedding rates.

Apart from meeting the three overarching objectives, the data provide a valuable resource that can be subjected to ongoing analyses. Already the data have been used in ways unforeseen at the time of seeking the application for grant from FRDC. Models developed through SharkFAG allow the tag data to be incorporated directly into stock assessments and have markedly reduced uncertainty in the assessments.

As part of the projects, all available tag release-recapture data available from shark tag releases during 1947-56, 1973-76, and 1990-99 have been validated and consolidated in the Southern Shark Tag Database developed in Microsoft ACCESS. The database is routinely updated and has facility for preparing data summaries and extracting data for analysis. Basic summaries with graphical plots and vector analysis of the tag data available to the end of 1999 are presented in a companion report to the present report. The companion report is designed for distribution to all professional shark fishers and other parts of the fishing industry, and is an update and extension to the report provided to FRDC during 1997 for the Southern Shark Tagging Project (FRDC 93/066).

The companion report demonstrates that the first two objectives of the Southern Shark Tag Database Project (FRDC 96/162) were met completely. The present report demonstrates that the third objective of this project was met. The present report provides the results of modelling with tag and other data and specifically explicitly addresses the three overarching objects of both tagging projects.

By the end of 1999, a total of 28 different shark and ray species had been tagged in southern Australia. Most of the 12442 sharks and rays tagged during 1990-99 were gummy sharks (7047) and school sharks (2686). Tag recapture rates are higher for commercial sized gummy sharks (23% for males and 25% for females) than for commercial sized school sharks (19% for males and 21 % for females). About 10% the sharks (1157) were double tagged for estimating tag shedding rates.

Tag shedding rates were addressed through double-tag experiments as part of the tag projects. Rototags and jumbo tags attached to the anterior lower portion of the first dorsal fin of sharks during 1990-99 were highly successful with shedding rates at 8% per year. Similarly, internal tags inserted into the coelomic cavity of sharks during 1947-56 and 1973-76 were successful in that they were not shed; however, they were not always seen by fishers when the sharks were caught. Peterson disc fin tags attached to the first dorsal fins during 1947-56 had very high shedding rates at 66% per annum on school shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into dorsal muscle tissue of sharks during 1990-99 had high shedding rates at 41% per year for school shark and 63% per year for gummy shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into the cartilage at the base of the first dorsal fin during 1990-99 rather than in the dorsal musculature halved the shedding rates. A range of other types of tags were used during 1990-99 in insufficient numbers to estimate shedding rates.

Apart from meeting the three overarching objectives, the data provide a valuable resource that can be subjected to ongoing analyses. Already the data have been used in ways unforeseen at the time of seeking the application for grant from FRDC. Models developed through SharkFAG allow the tag data to be incorporated directly into stock assessments and have markedly reduced uncertainty in the assessments.

As part of the projects, all available tag release-recapture data available from shark tag releases during 1947-56, 1973-76, and 1990-99 have been validated and consolidated in the Southern Shark Tag Database developed in Microsoft ACCESS. The database is routinely updated and has facility for preparing data summaries and extracting data for analysis. Basic summaries with graphical plots and vector analysis of the tag data available to the end of 1999 are presented in a companion report to the present report. The companion report is designed for distribution to all professional shark fishers and other parts of the fishing industry, and is an update and extension to the report provided to FRDC during 1997 for the Southern Shark Tagging Project (FRDC 93/066).

The companion report demonstrates that the first two objectives of the Southern Shark Tag Database Project (FRDC 96/162) were met completely. The present report demonstrates that the third objective of this project was met. The present report provides the results of modelling with tag and other data and specifically explicitly addresses the three overarching objects of both tagging projects.

By the end of 1999, a total of 28 different shark and ray species had been tagged in southern Australia. Most of the 12442 sharks and rays tagged during 1990-99 were gummy sharks (7047) and school sharks (2686). Tag recapture rates are higher for commercial sized gummy sharks (23% for males and 25% for females) than for commercial sized school sharks (19% for males and 21 % for females). About 10% the sharks (1157) were double tagged for estimating tag shedding rates.

Tag shedding rates were addressed through double-tag experiments as part of the tag projects. Rototags and jumbo tags attached to the anterior lower portion of the first dorsal fin of sharks during 1990-99 were highly successful with shedding rates at 8% per year. Similarly, internal tags inserted into the coelomic cavity of sharks during 1947-56 and 1973-76 were successful in that they were not shed; however, they were not always seen by fishers when the sharks were caught. Peterson disc fin tags attached to the first dorsal fins during 1947-56 had very high shedding rates at 66% per annum on school shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into dorsal muscle tissue of sharks during 1990-99 had high shedding rates at 41% per year for school shark and 63% per year for gummy shark. Nylon-headed dart tags inserted into the cartilage at the base of the first dorsal fin during 1990-99 rather than in the dorsal musculature halved the shedding rates. A range of other types of tags were used during 1990-99 in insufficient numbers to estimate shedding rates.

Apart from meeting the three overarching objectives, the data provide a valuable resource that can be subjected to ongoing analyses. Already the data have been used in ways unforeseen at the time of seeking the application for grant from FRDC. Models developed through SharkFAG allow the tag data to be incorporated directly into stock assessments and have markedly reduced uncertainty in the assessments.