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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: November 14, 2001
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

SEASONAL QUOTA REACHED; COMMERCIAL TAUTOG FISHERY TO CLOSE ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Fishery Will Reopen on April 15

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management has announced that the commercial tautog fishery in Rhode Island waters will close on Friday, November 16. Current landings data from DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife indicates that the seasonal quota allocation of 17,116 pounds for the October 15 through December 31 period will be harvested by that date. The fishery will reopen on April 15.

The RI Marine Fisheries Council has been managing the tautog fishery through the use of annual quotas and possession limits since 1996 as part of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's management plan to restore the over-fished stocks of tautog to their former abundant levels.

In addition to being caught commercially, the native fish is important to recreational fishermen, including those who fish from charter boats. The closure does not affect recreational fishing.

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