September 3, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

We are announcing the 2019 cost recovery per-tag fees for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog individual transferable quota (ITQ) program.

We have calculated the fee for each cage tag based on the number of ITQ cage tags that were used to land surfclams or ocean quahogs during the 2018 fishing year, and the costs associated with operating the program in 2018. These 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.

2019 Cost Recovery Cage Tag Fees

Atlantic Surfclam: $0.92 per tag

Ocean Quahog: $0.55 per tag

The initial quota shareholder who first received the allocation of cage tags will be responsible for the fee even if the tag is leased, sold, or otherwise used by someone else.

For more information, please review the permit holder bulletin.