Guest Column: The Fine Points of Double Tagging

First published in Landings, March, 2017

Recently, it has been brought to the department’s attention that there is some confusion as to how the new double tagging requirement will work for the upcoming lobster season. Those fishing in zones F and G or B and C likely already have some experience working within this process since double tagging, or the use of secondary zone tags, is already in place there. So what does this change mean to everyone else?

 Take the time to read the language in the new rule stated below:

Fishing in a Non-Declared Lobster Zone

By June 1, 2017, all Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing license holders must affix a second zone tag to their traps when fishing those traps in a zone other than their declared lobster zone. This second zone tag will be in addition to their declared lobster zone tag.

A person who holds a Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing license may not fish more than 49% of that person’s lobster traps in a zone other than their declared lobster zone unless that person’s license identifies that zone as the declared lobster zone.

The tags must be obtained from the Department of Marine Resources.

The absence of a second tag on traps fished in a zone other than their declared lobster zone shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this regulation.

Any fisherman that fishes lobster gear outside the boundaries of his/her declared zone must place a secondary zone tag in their trap as well as the declared zone tag. Only 49% of the gear that you are legally allowed to fish may be placed outside your declared zone.  All of that gear must be double tagged.

To Summarize:

You may fish up to 49% of your lobster traps in any zone outside your declared zone (also referred to as home zone). Any lobster trap fished in your non-declared zone will have two tags attached to it. One of these tags will be your primary declared zone tag (no change) and the other tag will be a secondary zone tag and will display the letters SCND instead of the declared zone letter. The secondary zone tag will not have EEZ stamped on it even if you have a Federal Permit. Your declared zone tag will have EEZ stamped on it thus covering you.

Remember double tagging applies to both state and federal waters. There is no limit to how many secondary zones you may declare, up to 49%, as long as all gear that you fish outside your home zone is double tagged.

All traps fished in a non-declared zone must have both trap tags attached to it.

When you fill out your application you must declare your home zone and all additional zones you will be setting gear in. A fisherman who purchases 800 tags would be able to fish 392(49%) of their gear outside his home zone.

EXCEPTION: Any fisherman fishing within the Zone E boundaries will only be allowed to fish 600 traps total regardless if you have Zone E listed as your primary or secondary zone. In this case if your home zone was outside Zone E and you had 600 tags you can only fish 294 in Zone E.

Some important things to remember:

All trap tags must be placed in the trap as noted below and must be legible. (see prohibitions)

All fishermen need to know what the boundaries are of the zones they are fishing in order to avoid placing gear with only the primary tag in outside zones.

As you shift gear it is important that you always have gear outside your primary zone double tagged as noted.

A. Prohibitions

(1) No person shall fish with or have on board a vessel a lobster trap unless a valid lobster trap tag issued by the Commissioner is securely attached to the frame of the trap. The lobster trap tag shall be affixed to the bridge of the lobster trap so that the tag information is clearly visible for inspection by a Marine Patrol Officer.

(2) No person shall fish with, lift, haul, raise, or transport any lobster trap with a tag which has been tampered with or where the tag number is illegible or missing.

Lastly, please remember to order your 2017 tags as soon as possible. Plan ahead. Patrol will be enforcing the requirements to have traps properly tagged June 1st. Waiting too long to order tags is not an excuse to be fishing without them.