For Release: November 6, 1997

Contact: Richard Sisson 277-3075

Stephanie Powell 277-2771 ext. 4418

PROVIDENCE - The RI Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife has announced that effective Friday, November 7, the summer flounder possession limit for all commercial fishing vessels will be reduced from 200 to 100 pounds.

To held rebuild the summer flounder population along the Atlantic coast, the U. S. Secretary of Commerce has allocated to Rhode Island a quota of 1.7 million pounds for 1997, managed by DEM by establishing seasonal allocations and possession limits.

"The portion of our quota set aside for 1997 is being landed at a rate which would exhaust the summer allocation by December 1 without this reduction," said Richard Sisson, Deputy Chief of Marine Fisheries for DEM. "It's in the best interest of fishermen and fish dealers to maintain landings of this very valuable species throughout the year. With a constant supply, even a reduced amount of landings will protect the State's share of the market and provide income to fishermen and dealers.

"Stocks of summer flounder along the Atlantic coast are showing signs of recovery from low levels," Sisson added, "and commercial quotas and possession limits are two of the ways that are helping to rebuild it."