COMMERCIAL TAUTOG TAGGING PROGRAM
The commercial tautog fishery opens on April 1st for the 2023 season. Please be advised that as of January 1, 2020, all tautog harvested commercially must be tagged with a tag issued by DEM.
Tags will be available for in person pick up beginning Wednesday, March 22th at the Coastal Resources office in Galilee, 301 Great Island Road, Narragansett, RI 02882, or at the Division of Marine Fisheries (RIDMF) office, 3 Fort Wetherill Rd, Jamestown, RI 02835. Both offices are open Monday – Friday from 8:30 – 4:00. Initial tag allocations are based on individual fishing history and compliance with reporting requirements. Additional tags are available upon return of reports in season.
Applicators will be available for purchase for $25 by cash, check, or money order until supplies run out. No cash will be accepted at the Jamestown office. Applicators are also available for purchase through National Band and Tag [nationalband.com] Co. (nationalband.com [nationalband.com] search for Style 681S-MOD Tautog Tag Applicator).
DEM will be conducting two tag issuance events at the following times and locations:
- RI DEM Headquarters, 235 Promenade St, Providence RI on Friday, March 24 from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM
- Pier Nine, Washington St in Newport on Friday, March 24 from 10:00 until 1:00 PM
Summary of tagging program:
· Tags will be 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 may result in an inability to acquire tags for the next fishing year.
· 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 3.13.2(C) “Commercial Tautog Tagging”.
Please Note:
· RIDMF adjusts the amount of tags initially provided for use annually based on the amount of tags used in the prior year.
· If you failed to turn in reports or unused tags from the 2022 season prior to the deadline you will only be issued 25 tags until you can demonstrate that you can follow proper reporting procedures. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Thank you
