COMMERCIAL TAUTOG TAGGING PROGRAM
Two pop up locations for picking up Commercial Tautog Tags will be open at the following times and locations:
Tuesday, March 25 from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM
RI DEM Pier Nine
Washington St.
Newport, RI
Friday, March 28 from 12:00 until 4:00 PM
RI DEM Headquarters
Boat Registration and Licensing Office – Room 360
235 Promenade St.
Providence, RI
*Please note, applicators will not be available at the pop-up events.
Tags continue to available for in person pick up at the following locations Monday – Friday from 8:30 – 4:00:
Coastal Resources office in Galilee, Division of Marine Fisheries (RIDMF) office
301 Great Island Road, 3 Fort Wetherill Rd
Narragansett, RI 02882, Jamestown, RI 02835
Applicators will be available for purchase for $32 by cash, check, credit card, or money order until supplies run out. 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).
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 2024 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.
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