DEM INCREASES POSSESSION LIMIT FOR COMMERCIAL SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERY

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management will increase the daily possession limit for the summer flounder commercial fishery from 300 pounds to 600 pounds per vessel effective Saturday, November 18.

DEM is making the adjustment to enable the Rhode Island fishing industry to fully harvest the quota assigned to the state by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Based on historical catch rates and the remaining poundage available for harvest, DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife projects that the annual commercial summer flounder quota would not be fully utilized by the end of the year under the 300-pound possession limit.