FLIPPER TAGS

• Use a permanent marking pen to highlight the numbers and/or letters on plastic flipper tags. This will improve the readability of the tags (submitted by Annette Broderick)
• Mark one jaw of the tag applicator/pliers with paint to highlight the correct position to insert the tag before application (from Balazs, G. H. 1999. Factors to consider in the tagging of sea turtles. Pages 101-109 in K. L. Eckert, K. A. Bjorndal, F. A. Abreu-Grobois, and M. Donnelly, editors. Research and Management Techniques for the Conservation of Sea Turtles. IUCN/SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group http://www.iucn-mtsg.org/publications/Tech_Manual/17-balazs.pdf.
• Use adhesive tape to keep tags from falling off the plastic or cardboard strip they are attached to when arriving from the manufacturer, or they can be strung sequentially from a piece of string or wire (From Balazs, see above)
• For more experience with attaching tags, practice first by attaching tags to a piece of cardboard (From Balazs, see above)
• Always squeeze the applicator/pliers as much as possible to ensure a firm "lock" of the tag (From Balazs, see above)
• After attachment, always verify by eye or by feel that tip of the tag has passed through the lock and bent over, forming a secure lock (From Balazs, see above)

PIT TAGS

• Regularly test your PIT tag scanner by scanning a spare PIT tag. This will ensure that it is working properly. You can also test PIT tags from other manufacturers to verify if your scanner can read them or not. Always verify that the PIT tag is working after you have injected it (submitted by Matthew Godfrey)
• When applying Avid/Destron-Fearing PIT tags, place the needle in the applicator and push the applicator cover forward, but not all the way. When you inject the PIT tag and push the needle plunger the whole way forwards, you will hear a 'click' that signals that you have pushed the PIT tag the whole way out of the needle and into the turtle (submitted by Lucy Hawkes/Joe Parsons)

SATELLITE TAGS

• When attaching a PTT to a hardshell turtle, ensure that the area you are working on is kept shaded during the time when the epoxy or fiberglass-bondo is curing, in order to avoid having the point of attachment becoming too hot (submitted by Catherine McClellan)
• If using a self-assembled "box" to restrain nesting females on the beach be sure to have a shovel as part of the field kit. By piling sand up around the outside of the box, you can quickly add much rigidity to the structure (submitted by Brendan Godley)