July 22, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
We are announcing the 2021 cost recovery per-tag fees for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog individual transferable quota (ITQ) program.
2021 Cost Recovery Cage Tag Fees
Atlantic Surfclam: $0.88 per tag
Ocean Quahog: $0.70 per tag
The fee for each cage tag is calculated based on the number of ITQ cage tags that were used to land surfclams or ocean quahogs during the 2020 fishing year, and the costs associated with operating the program in 2020. The fees are then multiplied by the number of tags used during the 2021 fishing year to determine the final bill amount. These cost recovery fees are separate from, and in addition to, the price ITQ permit holders currently pay to the tag vendor to obtain cage tags each year.
In early 2022, we will issue bills to quota shareholders based on these tag fees and the number of their 2021 cage tags that were used to land surfclams or ocean quahogs. The initial quota shareholder who first received the allocation of cage tags is responsible for the fee even if the tag is leased, sold, or otherwise used by someone else.
For more information read our bulletin.