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Commercial Fisheries News
Volume 33 Number 1
September 2005
Want to tag yellowtail in 2006?
Fill out a bid package this winter
WOODS HOLE, MA – The yellowtail flounder tagging program will be looking for experienced fishermen to participate in next year’s work, and program organizers are hoping to entice a few new boats to enter the fold.
Sometime around March, vessel owners should receive a permit holder letter announcing the 2006 solicitation process.
According to Steve Cadrin of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, who heads up the yellowtail tagging program, the bidding process is competitive by criteria, not price.
All vessels selected for next year’s tagging work will receive a flat fee of $2,000 per day for inshore work or $4,000 per day for offshore work. The vessel won’t be allowed to retain any catch, but it also won’t have to burn valuable days-at-sea.
Since money’s not part of the equation, all bid applications will be ranked according to criteria such as crew experience with yellowtail, safety training, and vessel specifications.
Active participation in science and management is a big plus and, next year, the definition of “active” will be broadened to include fishermen who regularly return tags found during routine fishing.
Cadrin emphasized that people shouldn’t be turned off by the unwieldy application process.
“We can help fishermen fill out bid packages,” he said.
The primary role of participating vessels is to find the fish and then make short tows to ensure the fish are alive when they reach the deck for tagging. The whole crew helps out.
“We rely on the fishermen to catch the yellowtail,” said Cadrin. “We ask them to use the gear they’re most comfortable with.”
Anyone who’s interested in the 2006 work can call Cadrin at (508) 495-2335 or Azure Westwood at (508) 495-2238, and they’ll be sure you receive a bid package when the time is right. /cfn/
Janice M. Plante
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