ATTACHMENT A-Description of the Tags[2].doc

STATE OF MAINE

DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES

ATTACHMENT A

DESCRIPTION OF THE TAGS

1) The tags must be made of high-density polyethylene, flexible, and durable so as to be attached to any lobster trap, and/or fyke net and will survive intact in the salt water and Maine weather for at least one year.

2) The tags must be easy to attach, even while wearing gloves, aboard a rocking boat.

3) The color of the tag, plug, and the imprint to be announced. (The Department will be requesting different colors in subsequent years). There may be a request to produce different colored tags in the event of a catastrophic loss of an individual’s tags.

4) The tag must attach to the trap using a locking mechanism such that the tag cannot be removed without being cut or broken, and thus cannot be easily reattached or reused.

5) The tag should not interfere in any way with the operation of the trap.

6) The dimensions of each tag are as follows: minimum length 6 to 7 inches and width 3/8 to 1/2 inch.

7) Each tag must also be imprinted in black or white with the letters “MEYY” (for appropriate year designation), a 3-digit serial number, 001-800 consecutively, and up to a 6-digit license number. The printing must also survive, and be readable, in a salt-water environment for at least one year. The number of tags ordered usually reaches in excess of three million tags.

8) Each tag must also be imprinted with harvester identification.

A.

Each tag must be imprinted with the harvester’s license number, which may have up to 6 digits and possibly up to 2 letters at the end, up to another 4 letters for the fishing zone, DMR, two digits for the year (YY) and possibly EEZ. The letter A followed by up to 6 numbers and up to 2 symbols will also need to be added.

B The plug in each tag must be a different color than the tag itself. This is needed for security purposes and is mandatory for enforcement purposes.

9) 15,000-40,000 replacement tags will also need to be manufactured. Color is to be announced; they will need to be numbered sequentially from 1 to 40,000, ME YY and the letters REPL. Another 20,000 to 40,000 replacement tags will need to be made as above, but with the added letters EEZ on the tags. Second zone replacement tags will also need to be manufactured, numbered sequentially from 1 to 5,000 with ME YY and SCND REPL, and another set numbered sequentially from 1 to 5,000 with ME YY SCND EEZ REPL 10) 12,000 noncommercial tags will need to be produced as well. Color to be announced.

The tags will need to be numbered sequentially from 1 to 12,000, ME YY NC.

11) 400 demonstration lobster tags will need to be manufactured. Color to be announced.

Tags must be numbered sequentially from 1 to 400, DMR YY DL.

12) Elver tags are needed using same design as described above. Color to be announced. The tags need to be numbered sequentially from 1 to 700, DMR YY ELV. Replacement tags need to be numbered sequentially from 1 to 400, DMR YY ELV REPL.

13) Additional tag types may be requested throughout the year.

Distribution, Reporting and Invoicing Requirements 1) Harvesters will order the tags from the Department throughout the year. The Department will electronically submit orders daily, up to five days per week, to the tag supplier with each harvester’s name, address, license number, zone area and number of tags requested. The vendor will work with the Department’s OIT person to create a .CSV file to enable the vendor and the Department to swap data back and forth, adding, and deleting information, as long as both parties define the fields necessary and appropriate for the different systems.

2) The supplier will ship the requested number of tags to each harvester within 15 business days of receiving the electronic submission from the Department. If this time element cannot be met – it is critical that the Department be notified immediately with an appropriate amount of time that the tags can be shipped.

3) The tag supplier is responsible for the delivery of the tags to the harvester and for replacing any tags that are lost in transit or that are faulty. (The supplier will redo any incorrect tags and ship to the harvester at the supplier’s expense.)

4) As tags are shipped, the supplier will report to the Department daily, or when shipped, a listing of each harvester’s name, license number, the shipping date, quantity shipped, tracking number and detailed summary.

5) Any tags returned undeliverable will be shipped at the supplier’s expense to the Department.

6) Each order submitted to the supplier electronically will have a “Batch Date.” Each invoice submitted for payment must list each “Batch Date” and provide the corresponding number of tags shipped against each “Batch Date.”

7) In the event the tags will take longer than the 15 business-day requirement, or of a breakdown, malfunction or any other delay in the manufacturing or processing of tags, the Department MUST be notified immediately by phone and email, outlining the problem, the resolution and date when shipments will resume.

July 30, 2012 – Page 1