The high-reward tagging component of the Northeast Regional Cod Tagging Program began in May 2004. The high-reward tagging study is open to the general public. (Employees of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and the Northeast Regional Cod Tagging Program partner organizations are not eligible for rewards from high-reward tags.) The reward for returning a high-reward tag is $100. All reward checks are issued by the Gulf of Maine Research Instutitute (GMRI). Checks can only be issued once the GMRI is in possession of the following from each tag being reported: 1) The actual high-reward tag 2) The Essential Tag Recapture Information (ETRI) The Essential Tag Recapture Information (ETRI) includes the following four criteria: 1) Tag number 2) Date 3) Fish length 4) Recapture location There will be a reward for each tag returned with all ETRI (i.e. an individual who supplies both the tags and ETRI for three tags is eligible for a reward of $300). All high-reward tags will be rewarded within 30 days of being received by GMRI. Tags cannot be rewarded if: The high-reward tagged cod was recaptured/found less than 2 days after the original tag and release event. The recapture was by the same vessel which originally released the tag, and less than 8 days after the original tag and release event.