What happens if you land a tagged fish?

[cowherder]

My cousin caught a bass last week, and he just put it back. Was too small to keep, but someone said you cutt the tag off?

[captnemo]

I'm assuming he got it around NJ waters. If so, the American Littoral society is a major participant in the tagging program here, while there are others as well.

Here's the link for more info:

http://www.littoralsociety.org/tagging_tagged_fish.aspx

[fishlipper]

Here's some ALS stuff and the link.
http://www.littoralsociety.org/tagging_tagged_fish.aspx

http://www.littoralsociety.org/App_Themes/original/images/headings/fish_tagging.gif
What is it & how do I participate? (http://www.littoralsociety.org/tagging_what_is_it.aspx)
Tagging Report (http://www.littoralsociety.org/tagging_history.aspx)
Why Tag Fish (http://www.littoralsociety.org/tagging_why.aspx)
Tips & Facts (http://www.littoralsociety.org/tagging_tips.aspx)
Tagging Data (http://www.littoralsociety.org/tagging_data.aspx)
If you catch a Tagged Fish (http://www.littoralsociety.org/tagging_tagged_fish.aspx)http://www.littoralsociety.org/App_Themes/original/images/spacer.gif http://www.littoralsociety.org/userfiles/images/stripertag.jpg
IF YOU CATCH A TAGGED FISH
If you catch a fish with a yellow dorsal loop tag, the tag belongs to the American Littoral Society. We need the tag returned along with the recapture information. To make it easy for you to respond, we have provided a tag return form. Complete the form, tape the tag to it and mail it to the address on the form. Download Tag Return Form (http://www.littoralsociety.org/userfiles/doccenter/TAG%20RETURN%20FORM%202008REV.pdf)

In return, you will receive

The history of your fish (where it was tagged, how much it has grown)
A jacket patch
Information about our tagging program
The knowledge that you have made a contribution to marine fisheries scienceIf you are interested in becoming a tagger contact Jeff at 732-291-0055 or e-mail jeff@littoralsociety.org.
Learn where your fish go and how big they grow.
To participate, you must be an ALS member (dues are $35 per year for an individual or family.) Tags cost $6 for 10 tags, data cards, applicator needle, and instructions. Fishing clubs and charter boat captains are welcome. Membership dues and tags are tax deductible.

[fishlipper]

The download for the form you send in:

http://www.littoralsociety.org/userfiles/doccenter/TAG%20RETURN%20FORM%202008REV.pdf


If the fish looks like it was just tagged, or is small, I wouldn't cut it off, just copy the info and send it in, but that's just me.