Please be advised that commercial tautog tags will be available at the following times and locations:
Tuesday, March 30, 9:00AM – 2:00 PM
RI DEM Pier Nine
Washington St.
Newport, RI
Tags are also now available for in person pick up 8:30am-4:00pm at the Coastal Resources office in Galilee, 301 Great Island Road, Narragansett, RI 02882; or at the Division of Marine Fisheries office, 3 Fort Wetherill Rd, Jamestown, RI 02835.
Applicators are available for purchase for $25 by cash, check, or money order until supplies run out. No cash will be accepted the Jamestown office. Applicators are also available for purchase through National Band and Tag Co. (nationalband.com search for Style 681S-MOD Tautog Tag Applicator).
Summary of tagging program:
· As of January 1, 2020, all tautog harvested commercially must be tagged by the fisherman prior to offloading.
· Tags are available to all commercial fishermen eligible to participate in the commercial tautog fishery.
· Each tautog must be tagged on the left opercula bone with the tag number visible.
· All tautog must be tagged onboard the vessel prior to offloading from the vessel.
· Tags are single use and assigned to individual fishermen. Tags cannot be transferred between individuals or fish.
· Tags are issued on an annual basis. All unused tags must be returned to the Department at the end of the year with the required tag reports. Failure to return tags or provide reports from 2020 may result in an ineligibility to receive tags for 2021.
· Tautog must remain tagged until they reach the final consumer. Processed or fileted tautog shall be packed with the tag and available for inspection, with tags retained until all process or fileted tautog are sold.
For full regulations see RIMFR Part 3 – Finfish section 3.11.2(C) “Commercial Tautog Tagging”. For questions on obtaining tags or purchasing applicators please contact the Coastal Resources office at 401-783-5551. For questions on the tagging program and regulations please contact Coly Ares at the Division of Marine Fisheries at Nichole.ares@dem.ri.gov, 401-423-1926.
Thank you
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