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Notice of Public Hearing for Regulatory Changes
  
News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: August 31, 2006
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM ANNOUNCES SEPTEMBER 11 PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO STATE'S MARINE FISHERIES REGULATIONS

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Regulations on Monday, September 11.

Public comment will be sought on several proposals, including changes to the state's floating fish trap regulations; the adoption of Safe Harbor regulations; and adoption of Rhode Island monkfish, cod, and sea scallop regulations to address loopholes between state regulations and the federal fishery management plan.

Changes to the floating fish trap regulations include removing language that references the Coast Guard for inspecting floating fish trap locations for proper buoy marking. The new regulations would rely on the DEM Divisions of Fish and Wildlife and Law Enforcement for the inspections, and would require markings as decided by the RI Marine Fisheries Council floating fish trap advisory panel. The proposed changes also clear up some language regarding floating fish trap site locations.

Adoption of Safe Harbor regulations would make provisions for vessels that find themselves in an emergency situation such as mechanical failure, impending bad weather, or crew health issues. The provisions would allow a vessel to return to port in Rhode Island and make arrangements in consultation with DEM Law Enforcement regarding their catch, which, due to the circumstances, may be a regulatory violation.

The September 11 public hearing will take place at 6 p.m. in the Corless Auditorium at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography on South Ferry Road in Narragansett. Written comments concerning any of the regulations proposed for promulgation by the DEM may be submitted at the hearing or, alternatively, to the Division of Fish and Wildlife, 3 Fort Wetherill Road, Jamestown, RI 02835 no later than noon on September 11.

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