There is a piece of clear tape on the back side of my gimble that has a yellow tab ... like you would use to grasp the tape for removal.  Is this tape protection for shipping and should it be removed?

Yes best too

I have the same on mine too.  I'm a little hesitant about taking it off until.

It can be pulled off but I left a portion of it on, on mine as I saw a guy on youtube with this mavic with some slight scratches on the top of his gimbal.

Yes you can remove it.

I removed it but after several flights.  The tape had heated up and made it difficult to remove.  I would suggest that if you are going to remove that you do it sooner, rather than later.