Tagging Program Certification Procedures

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Interstate Tagging Committee (ITC) created the following certification process to promote good tagging practices and sharing of tagging information among scientific and fisheries management groups. All approved programs will be listed on the Cooperative Tagging Website and Registry as a certified program that meets the criteria for scientific quality and fish safety. We encourage all registered tagging programs to apply.

1. Download a Certification Application form by clicking here. One application per tagging program should be submitted regardless of the number of species tagged.

2. Questions regarding the application process and completed applications should be directed to:

Genny Nesslage
Senior Stock Assessment Specialist
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
1444 Eye Street NW, 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-289-6400 x336
Email: gnesslage@asmfc.org

ASMFC staff will confirm that applications are complete or request clarification where necessary.

3. Applications will be forwarded to the appropriate species Technical Committee(s) for review (e.g. tagging programs targeting striped bass will be sent to the Striped Bass Technical Committee). Each Technical Committee has a 30-day period in which to comment. The species Technical Committee will review applications for appropriate responses on tag type, tag retention studies, and evaluate target numbers of releases for each species.

4. Applications will then be sent to the certification subcommittee of the ITC for review with compiled comments from the Technical Committee(s). The ITC will rate each item (see application for more information on rating system) and respond in one of the following ways to the tagging program within 90 days of application date:

1. Award certification to the tagging program, accompanied by a certificate and listing on the web site as certified program that it meets the criteria for scientific quality and fish safety.
   
   Or:
   
   
2. Notify tagging program of areas that need improvement for certification to be granted, such as redirecting the program goals, or putting them in contact with a local scientific or management group with which to share data. These programs would be encouraged to respond with clarifications or changes to their program for future certification.

5. After certification, each tagging program will be reviewed every five years to update any programmatic changes and ensure that certification guidelines are still being met. Certified tagging programs will be required to report proposed changes in their program to maintain certification.

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