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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: March 7, 2008
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM TO HOLD FISHERIES HEARING ON THURSDAY, MARCH 27
Proposed Changes to Regulations Include Maximum Gauge Size for Lobsters in Area 2

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that it will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to marine fisheries regulations on Thursday, March 27. The proposed changes pertain to the Rhode Island commercial lobster fishery management plan; the State's commercial cod regulations; and the State's recreational summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass management plans.

Proposed amendments to the lobster fishery include a maximum gauge size of 5 ¼ inches for all of Area 2, which includes Rhode Island waters. RI and other southern New England states have long maintained minimum gauge size restrictions, but the move toward a maximum gauge size, which is designed to protect the largest females which produce the most eggs, is new. It is being undertaken pursuant to a requirement imposed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The 5 ¼-inch standard would bring RI in line with other states bordering Area 2. The proposed amendments pertaining to the lobster fishery also include a requested clarification to the regulation governing lobster trap tags used by Area 2 fishermen who hold both state and federal licenses and permits; and a change to the effective dates of trap tags issued by the State, with new tags going into effect in June of every year rather than May.

With regard to commercial cod regulations for RI state waters, three options regarding daily possession limits will be considered: 75 pounds (status quo), 200 pounds, and 1,000 pounds.

With regard to the recreational fisheries for summer flounder and scup, a range of potential modifications to seasons, bag limits, and minimum sizes will be considered. The range of options offer different ways to meet federally mandated catch reductions. No new changes are proposed for the recreational black sea bass fishery.

The proposed amendments are available on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Fish and Wildlife" under "Offices and Divisions," then clicking on "Marine Fisheries." They are also available at DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife offices in Wakefield and Jamestown.

The March 27 public hearing will take place at 6 p.m. in the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography Corless Auditorium on South Ferry Road in Narragansett. Written comments will be accepted at the hearing, or may also be submitted by noon on March 27 to the Division at its Jamestown office, 3 Fort Wetherill Road, Jamestown, RI 02835.

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rev. 3/27/08