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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: October 30, 2008
Contact: Bob Ballou, DEM 222-4700, ext. 4420
Steve Medeiros, RISAA 826-2121

DEM & RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN JOIN FORCES TO EVALUATE NEW SALTWATER ANGLER REGISTRY PROGRAM
At November 10th Meeting, Top Federal Official Will Explain New Program and its Effect on Rhode Island Fishermen

PROVIDENCE - A Study Group has been launched to evaluate the new national Saltwater Angler Registry Program and assess its implications for Rhode Island recreational fishermen. The Group is co-chaired by DEM and the R.I. Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) and includes 15 representatives of recreational fishing interests and organizations from throughout the State (see attached list of members).

The Group held an initial organizational meeting on October 15, and has scheduled the first public meeting for Monday, November 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Coventry-West Greenwich Elks Club. At the November 10th meeting, Gordon Colvin, Team Leader for the National Saltwater Angler Registry Team at the National Marine Fisheries Service, will explain the new federal program and how it will apply to Rhode Island fishermen.

The new federal program is slated to take effect next year. Under the program, anyone who fishes in federal waters (3-200 miles from shore), as well as anyone who fishes anywhere for anadromous species such as striped bass, will have to register. The purpose of the program is to improve the quality of recreational saltwater fishing data and thereby improve the management of fish stocks that are important to saltwater anglers. The new registry is intended to serve as a more efficient and effective route for collecting recreational fishing data than currently exists.

The new federal law allows anglers to be exempt from federal registration requirements if they fish in a state that has its own registry or licensing program. Rhode Island has no such program, but the Study Group is poised to consider that as a potential alternative, after evaluating the implications of the new federal requirements.

The November 10th meeting is open to the public, and all future meetings of the Study Group will be publicized and open.

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Directions to Coventry-West Greenwich Elks Club: Take Rte. 95 to Exit 6, then proceed 2/10 of a mile north on Rte. 3.
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