Pursuant to the provisions of Chapters 42-17.1 and 20-3 of the General Laws of Rhode Island as amended, and in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act Chapter 42-35 of the General Laws, the Director of the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) proposes amendments to the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Regulations and gives notice of intent to hold a public hearing to afford interested parties the opportunity for public comment.

Public comment will be solicited on the following proposals:

1. Proposed amendments to the RI monkfish regulations relating to a monkfish fishery control date;
2. Amendments to the commercial fishing licensing regulations, titled "Rules and Regulations Governing the Management of Marine Fisheries" regarding the inclusion of a monkfish fishery control date;
3. Proposed maximum gauge sizes for the Area 3, 4, 5, and 6 lobster fisheries

The public hearing will commence at 6:00 PM on Wednesday May 14, 2008 in the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography Corless Auditorium, South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI 02882. The hearing room is handicap accessible. A taped record of the hearing will be made and the DEM will provide interpreter services for the hearing impaired, provided such services are requested at least 48 hours prior to the hearing date. A request for this service can be made in writing or by calling (401) 222-6800 or TDD (401) 831-5508. Written comments concerning the regulations proposed for promulgation by the DEM may also be submitted to the Division of Fish and Wildlife, 3 Fort Wetherill Road, Jamestown, RI 02835 no later than 12:00 p.m. on May14, 2008.

The Department has determined that small businesses may be adversely impacted by the proposed regulations. The public hearing is being conducted to solicit comment on the proposals and to allow public input from small businesses or any cities or towns, which may be adversely affected. Small businesses which are either currently licensed or in the future may seek permission to harvest, buy, sell, or produce seafood products as well as the small businesses that provide services related to those engaged in such industries and small businesses which buy, sell, or produce products or provide services related to fishing are requested to comment on the proposed regulations on how such proposed action can be changed to minimize the impact on those small businesses affected.

A copy of the proposed regulations will be available for examination from March 30 through May 14, 2008 by mail or at the offices of the Division of Fish and Wildlife located at 4808 Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879 and at 3 Fort Wetherill Road, Jamestown, RI 02835. Electronic copies of the proposed regulations will also be available by clicking the link on the left side of this page.