COMMERCIAL TAUTOG TAGGING PROGRAM
The commercial tautog fishery opens on April 1st for the 2021 season. Please be advised that as of January 1, 2020, all tautog harvested commercially must be tagged with a tag issued by DEM.
If you received tags in 2020, all tag reports and unused tags must be returned to Division of Marine Fisheries office to be eligible to receive tags for 2021.
Tags will be available for in person pick up beginning Wednesday, March 10th , Monday – Friday from 8:30 – 4:00, 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 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 Co. (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 Tuesday, March 16 from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM
- Pier Nine, Washington St in Newport on Thursday, March 18 from 9:00 until 2:00 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 3.11.2(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 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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