Yearly Regulation Amendments

Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Regulations
Minimum Sizes and Possession Limits

If you have questions, contact Pete Duhamel at 401-423-1927 or peter.duhamel@dem.ri.gov

4/26/2024
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00 A.M. on Monday, April 29, 2024, the commercial possession limit for Menhaden Inside the Menhaden Management Area will be one-hundred twenty-thousand (120,000) pounds per vessel per day, until further notice; the commercial possession limit for Menhaden in state waters outside the Menhaden Management Area remains at one-hundred twenty-thousand (120,000) pounds per vessel per day, until further notice. 

    The opening of the Menhaden Management Area is based on DMF estimating that the weekly menhaden biomass has exceeded the biomass floor of 2 million pounds. Biomass estimates are updated twice per week; if at any time the biomass is estimated to drop below 1.5 million pounds, or the commercial biomass ceiling is projected to be harvested, or the state's commercial quota has been projected to be harvested, the commercial fishery may close.  Please refer to the commercial menhaden regulations (Part 3 - Finfish, section 3.24.2) for more information, or contact Nicole Lengyel Costa at 401-423-1940.

4/26/2024
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, April 28, 2024, the possession limit for Summer flounder for participants in the Winter I Program of the Aggregate Program for Summer Flounder will be one thousand (1,000) pounds per vessel per bi-week (permitted vessels only), until further notice or until the next sub-period begins on May 1, 2024 at two hundred (200) pounds per vessel per day.

4/12/2024
AMENDMENT TO EXISTING REGULATIONS

Please be advised that the following regulation amendments have been filed, resulting from the public hearing held on February 28th and RI Marine Fisheries Council meeting held on April 1st:

  • Part 3 – Finfish (effective April 28, 2024):
    • New recreational striped bass filleting requirements
    • Amended seasons for 2024 commercial general category striped bass management
    • Amended frequency of reporting requirements for commercial striped bass floating fish traps  
    • Amended possession limit reduction trigger for commercial striped bass floating fish traps  
    • Clarification regarding when striped bass must be tagged (consistent with Part 7 filing described below)   
    • Clarification of language for commercial menhaden management in several sections in the rule; no changes to management
    • Amended minimum size for general recreational and party/charter modes for 2024 recreational scup management  
    • Amended minimum size, season, and possession limit for 2024 recreational summer flounder management   
    • Commercial possession limit clarification (several instances throughout rule)
  • Part 5 – Lobsters, Crabs, and Other Crustaceans (effective April 28, 2024):  
    • Adoption of new rules requiring electronic tracking for federally permitted lobster and Jonah crab vessels
  • Part 7 – Dealers (effective May 1, 2024): 
    • Clarification regarding when striped bass must be tagged (consistent with Part 3 filing described above)

3/29/2024
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, March 31, 2024, the possession limit for Summer flounder for participants in the Winter I Program of the Aggregate Program for Summer Flounder will be two thousand (2,000) pounds per vessel per bi-week (permitted vessels only); until further notice or until the next sub-period begins on May 1, 2024 at two hundred (200) pounds per vessel per day;
  2. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, March 31, 2024, the possession limit for the Black Sea Bass will be one thousand five hundred (1,500) pounds per vessel per week; until the next sub period begins on May 1, 2024, at one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day;

3/1/2024
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, March 3, 2024, the possession limit for Summer flounder for participants in the Winter I Program of the Aggregate Program for Summer Flounder will be three thousand (3,000) pounds per vessel per bi-week (permitted vessels only); until further notice or until the next sub-period begins on May 1, 2024 at two hundred (200) pounds per vessel per day;
  2. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, March 3, 2024, the possession limit for the Black Sea Bass will be seven hundred fifty (750) pounds per vessel per week; until the next sub period begins on May 1, 2024, at one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day;

12/29/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Black sea bass:  Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, January 1, 2024, the commercial possession will be five hundred (500) pounds per vessel per week, until further notice.
  2. Scup - general category:  Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, January 1, 2024, the commercial possession limit will be fifty thousand (50,000) pounds per vessel per day, until further notice.
  3. Scup - floating fish traps:  Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, January 1, 2024, the commercial possession limit will be fifty thousand (50,000) pounds per vessel per day, until further notice.
  4. Striped bass - general category:  Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, January 1, 2024, the commercial fishery remains closed until further notice (public hearing planned for February 2024).
  5. Striped bass - floating fish traps:  Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, January 1, 2024, the commercial fishery remains closed, until reopening April 1, 2024 @ Unlimited possession limit (public hearing planned for February 2024).
  6. Summer flounder - vessels without a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate:  Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, January 1, 2024, the commercial possession limit will be one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day, until further notice.
  7. Summer flounder - vessels with a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate:  Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, January 1, 2024, the commercial possession limit will be one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day, until further notice.
  8. Winter I Aggregate Program for Summer Flounder:  Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, January 1, 2024, the Winter I Aggregate program remains closed.  Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, January 7, 2024, the possession limit will be four thousand (4,000) pounds per vessel per bi-week (permitted vessels only) until further notice.
  9. Summer/Fall Aggregate Program for Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass:  Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, January 1, 2024, the program remains closed.  The program will re-open on May 1, 2024 @ a weekly possession limit equal to seven times (7X) the daily possession limit (both species, permitted vessels only).
  10. Bluefish:  Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, January 1, 2024, the commercial possession limit will be one thousand (1,000) pounds per vessel per bi-week, until further notice (public hearing planned for February 2024).
  11. Menhaden - Menhaden Management Area:  Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, January 1, 2024, the fishery remains closed until further notice (public hearing planned for February 2024).
  12. Menhaden - State Waters outside the Menhaden Management Area:  Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, January 1, 2024, the commercial possession limit remains @ 120,000 pounds per vessel per day until further notice (public hearing planned for February 2024).
  13. Tautog:  Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, January 1, 2024, the fishery remains closed, until reopening 12:00AM on April 1, 2024, @ 10 fish per person or per vessel per day (public hearing planned for February 2024)

 

12/19/2023
AMENDMENT TO EXISTING REGULATIONS

Please be advised that amendments to the following rules have been filed resulting from the public hearing held on November 6th and RI Marine Fisheries Council meeting held on December 4th (effective date January 8, 2024):

  1. Part 1 – Definitions and General Provisions
  2. Part 3 – Finfish
  3. Part 4 - Shellfish
  4. Part 23 - Summer-Fall Aggregate Program for Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass

 

11/15/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, the possession limit for Summer Flounder for vessels with a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate will be seven thousand five hundred (7,500) pounds per vessel per day until further notice, or until the next sub-period begins January 1, 2024 at one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day.  The possession limit for those without a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate remains at two hundred (200) pounds per vessel per day until further notice, or until the next sub period begins on January 1, 2024 at one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day.

11/15/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Friday, November 17, 2023, the commercial Tautog fishery will close until the next sub-period begins on April 1, 2024 at ten (10) fish per vessel per day;

 11/10/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Thursday, November 16, 2023, the commercial possession limit for Bluefish fishery will remain at ten thousand (10,000) pounds per vessel per week until further notice;
  2. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, November 12, 2023, the possession limit for Summer Flounder for vessels with a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate will be five thousand (5,000) pounds per vessel per day until further notice or until the next sub-period begins January 1, 2024 at one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day.  The possession limit for those without a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate remains at two hundred (200) pounds per vessel per day until further notice or until the next sub period begins on January 1, 2024 at one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day.

 11/9/2023
AMENDMENT TO EXISTING REGULATIONS

  • Part 2 – Commercial Marine Fishing Licenses, Landing Permits, and Party and Charter Licenses (effective Jan. 1, 2024):
    • Added “marine species other than shellfish and crustacean” to the Unlimited and Limited Finfish endorsement to provide for the commercial harvest and sale of marine species other than finfish, shellfish, and crustacean; e.g., kelp
    • Deleted fee for Standard Resident License with three (3) unlimited fishery endorsements (license no longer available since licensing restructure)
    • Specified that the Mid-Water/Pair Trawl Endorsement Division is not available for issuance while midwater trawling is prohibited in state waters
    • Amended the exit:entry ratio for the issuance of a Standard license with Unlimited Finfish endorsement from 1:1 to 2:1, resulting in the availability of eighteen (18) endorsements for 2024
    • Amended the exit:entry ratio for the issuance of a Standard license with Unlimited Shellfish endorsement from 1:1 to 3:1, resulting in the availability of forty-six (46) endorsements for 2024
    • Rule amended to provide for the issuance of fifteen (15) Multipurpose Vessel Licenses with additional eligibility restrictions (additional details provided in the Director’s decision memo and the final rule)
  • Part 7 – Dealers (effective Nov. 20, 2023):  
    • Rule amended to specify that tautog cannot be sold, purchased, bartered, or traded in Rhode Island unless a tautog tag issued by the Director has been affixed to the left opercula bone with the tag number displayed, consistent with harvester tautog tagging requirements
    • Rule amended to delete summer flounder packaging requirements
    • Rule amended to delete rule that striped bass may not be purchased and/or offered for sale if the entire right pectoral fin has been removed.  With new recreational slot limit recently adopted there is no longer an overlap and the rule is no longer needed

11/3/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, the commercial Black Sea Bass fishery will close until further notice; the Black Sea Bass for permitted Summer/Fall Aggregate Program participants will close until further notice.
  2. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, November 5, 2023, the possession limit for Summer Flounder for vessels with a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate will be one thousand (1000) pounds per vessel per day until further notice or until the next sub-period begins January 1, 2024 at one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day.  The possession limit for those without a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate remains at two hundred (200) pounds per vessel per day until further notice or until the next sub period begins on January 1, 2024 at one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day.

10/27/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, October 29, 2023, the commercial possession limit for Black Sea Bass will be fifty (50) pounds per vessel per day until further notice; the possession limit for Black Sea Bass for permitted Summer/Fall Aggregate Program participants will be at two hundred fifty (250) pounds per vessel per week (equal to five (5) times the daily limit of fifty (50) pounds) until further notice.
  2. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, October 29, 2023, the possession limit for Bluefish will be ten thousand (10,000) pounds per vessel per week until further notice or until the next sub-period begins November 16, 2023 at five hundred (500) pounds per vessel per week. 

10/6/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, October 8, 2023, the commercial possession limit for Black Sea Bass will be two hundred (200) pounds per vessel per day, until further notice or until the next sub-period begins October 16, 2023 at one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day; the possession limit for Black Sea Bass for permitted Summer/Fall Aggregate Program participants will be at one thousand (1,000) pounds per vessel per week (equal to five (5) times the daily limit of two hundred (200) pounds) until further notice or until the next sub-period begins October 16 at five hundred (500) pounds per vessel per week
  2. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, October 8, 2023, the possession limit for Summer Flounder for vessels with a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate will be seven hundred fifty (750) pounds per vessel per day until further notice or until the next sub-period begins January 1, 2024 at one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day.  The possession limit for those without a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate remains at two hundred (200) pounds per vessel per day until further notice or until the next sub period begins on January 1, 2024 at one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day.

10/4/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, October 8, 2023, the possession limit for Bluefish will be eight thousand (8,000) pounds per vessel per week until further notice, or until the next sub-period begins November 16, 2023 at five hundred (500) pounds per vessel per week. 

9/29/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, October 1, 2023, the commercial possession limit for Scup General Category and Scup Floating Fish Traps will be thirteen thousand five hundred (13,500) pounds per vessel per day, until further notice or the next sub-period begins January 1, 2025 at fifty thousand (50,000) pounds per vessel per day.  This change is due to recent changes in federal possession limits.

9/22/2023
AMENDMENT TO EXISTING REGULATIONS

  1. Please be advised that the Division of Marine Fisheries has filed the regulations “Part 3 – Finfish” via Direct Final Amendment to adopt changes for recreational cod and recreational striped bass management.  Please see the attached rule summary for details, or click on the link to the rule provided above. The effective date for these rule changes was September 14, 2023. 

9/5/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Saturday, September 16, 2023, the possession limit for Summer Flounder for vessels with a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate will be one thousand (1,000) pounds per vessel per day until further notice, or until the next sub-period begins January 1, 2024 at one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day.  The possession limit for those without a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate remains at two hundred (200) pounds per vessel per day until further notice or  the next sub-period begins January 1, 2024 at one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day.

9/5/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Friday, September 8, 2023, the commercial Black Sea Bass fishery will close, until the next sub-period begins September 16, 2023 at one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day; the commercial Black Sea Bass fishery for permitted Summer/Fall Aggregate Program participants will close until the next sub-period begins September 16 at five hundred (500) pounds per vessel per week.

9/1/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, September 3, 2023, the commercial possession limit for Black Sea Bass will be fifty (50) pounds per vessel per day, until further notice or until the next sub-period begins September 16, 2023 at one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day; the possession limit for Black Sea Bass for permitted Summer/Fall Aggregate Program participants will be at two hundred fifty (250) pounds per vessel per week (equal to five (5) times the daily limit of hundred fifty (50) pounds) until further notice or until the next sub-period begins September 16 at five hundred (500) pounds per vessel per week.

8/29/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Thursday, August 31, 2023, the commercial Tautog fishery will close; until the next sub-period begins October 15, 2023 at ten (10) fish per vessel per day.

8/25/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, August 27, 2023, the commercial possession limit for Black Sea Bass will be one hundred fifty (150) pounds per vessel per day, until further notice or until the next sub-period begins September 16, 2023 at one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day; the possession limit for Black Sea Bass for permitted Summer/Fall Aggregate Program participants will be at seven hundred fifty (750) pounds per vessel per week (equal to five (5) times the daily limit of one hundred fifty (150) pounds) until further notice or until the next sub-period begins September 16 at five hundred (500) pounds per vessel per week

8/4/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, the commercial possession limit for Black Sea Bass will remain at two hundred (200) pounds per vessel per day until further notice or until the next sub-period begins September 16, 2023 at one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day; the possession limit for Black Sea Bass for permitted Summer/Fall Aggregate Program participants will remain at one thousand (1,000) pounds per vessel per week (equal to five (5) times the daily limit of two hundred (200) pounds) until further notice or until the next sub-period begins September 16 at five hundred (500) pounds per vessel per week
  2. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, August 13, 2023, the possession limit for Summer Flounder for vessels with a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate will be one thousand five hundred (1,500) pounds per vessel per day until further notice or until the next sub-period begins September 16, 2023 at five hundred (500) pounds per vessel per day.  The possession limit for those without a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate remains at two hundred (200) pounds per vessel per day until further notice.

8/4/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, August 6, 2023, the commercial possession limit for Black Sea Bass will be two hundred (200) pounds per vessel per day until further notice or until the next sub-period begins August 16, 2023 at fifty (50) pounds per vessel per day; the possession limit for Black Sea Bass for permitted Summer/Fall Aggregate Program participants is one thousand (1,000) pounds per vessel per week (equal to five (5) times the daily limit of two hundred (200) pounds) until further notice or until the next sub-period begins August 16 at two hundred fifty (250) pounds per vessel per week

7/21/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, July 23, 2023, the possession limit for Summer Flounder for vessels with a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate will be one thousand (1,000) pounds per vessel per day until further notice or until the next sub-period begins September 16, 2023 at five hundred (500) pounds per vessel per day.  The possession limit for those without a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate remains at two hundred (200) pounds per vessel per day until further notice.
  2. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, July 23, 2023, the commercial possession limit for Black Sea Bass will be one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day until further notice or until the next sub-period begins August 16 at fifty (50) pounds per vessel per day; the possession limit for Black Sea Bass for permitted Summer/Fall Aggregate Program participants is five hundred (500) pounds per vessel per week (equal to five (5) times the daily limit of one hundred (100) pounds) until further notice or until the next sub-period begins August 16 at two hundred fifty (250) pounds per vessel per week.

7/14/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, the commercial Striped Bass General Category fishery will close; until the next sub-period begins May 29, 2024 at five (5) fish per vessel per day, with weekly fishery closures on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

6/16/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, June 26, 2023, the commercial Striped Bass Floating Fish Trap fishery will close; until the next sub-period begins April 1, 2024 at an unlimited possession limit.

6/16/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, June 18, 2023, the possession limit for Summer Flounder for vessels with a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate will be six hundred (600) pounds per vessel per day until further notice or the next sub-period begins September 16, 2023 at five hundred (500) pounds per vessel per day.  The possession limit for those without a Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate remains at two hundred (200) pounds per vessel per day until further notice.
  2. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, June 18, 2023, the commercial possession limit for Black Sea Bass will be one hundred (100) pounds per vessel per day until further notice or the next sub-period begins July 1 at fifty (50) pounds per vessel per day; the possession limit for Black Sea Bass for permitted Summer/Fall Aggregate Program participants is five hundred (500) pounds per vessel per week (equal to five (5) times the daily limit of one hundred (100) pounds) until further notice or the next sub-period begins July 1 at two hundred fifty (250) pounds per vessel per week.

6/16/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, June 18, 2023, the commercial Striped Bass Floating Fish Trap fishery will re-open at five hundred (500) pounds per fish trap licensee per day until further notice

6/9/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the commercial Striped Bass Floating Fish Trap fishery will close; until the next sub-period begins April 1, 2024 at an unlimited possession limit;

6/8/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the commercial Striped Bass General Category fishery will close; until the next sub-period begins July 6, 2023 at five (5) fish per vessel per day, with weekly fishery closures on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

6/1/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, June 4, 2023, the possession limit for the Summer Flounder with those vessels with a summer flounder exemption certificate will be four hundred (400) pounds per vessel per day; until the next sub-period begins September 16, 2023 at five hundred (500) pounds per vessel per day.  The possession limit for those without a summer flounder exemption certificate remains at two hundred (200) pounds per vessel per day.
  2. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, June 4, 2023, the commercial possession limit for Black Sea Bass will be seventy-five (75) pounds per vessel per day; until the next sub-period begins July 1 at fifty (50) pounds per vessel per day;
  3. Beginning 12:00AM om Sunday, June 4, 2023, the possession limit for Black Sea Bass for permitted Summer/Fall Aggregate Program participants is three hundred seventy five (375) pounds per vessel per week (equal to five (5) times the daily limit of seventy five (75) pounds) until the next sub-period begins July 1 at two hundred fifty (250) pounds per vessel per week;

5/30/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Thursday, June 1, 2023, the commercial possession limit for Striped Bass Floating Fish Trap fishery will be five hundred (500) pounds per fish trap licensee per day; until further notice.

 

5/22/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Friday, May 26, 2023, the commercial Tautog fishery will close; until the next sub-period begins August 1, 2023 at 10 fish per vessel per day.

 

5/1/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, the possession limit for the Scup General Category will be ten thousand (10,000) pounds per vessel per week; until the next sub-period begins October 1, 2023 at two thousand (2,000) pounds per vessel per day.

4/28/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, May 1, 2023, the Winter I Aggregate Program for Summer Flounder will close; until further notice.
  2. Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, May 1, 2023, the possession limit for the Summer Flounder with those vessels with a summer flounder exemption certificate will be three hundred (300) pounds per vessel per day; until the next sub-period begins September 16, 2023 at five hundred (500) pounds per vessel per day.
  3. Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, May 1, 2023, the possession limit for the Summer Flounder with those vessels without a summer flounder exemption certificate will be two hundred (200) pounds per vessel per day; until the next sub-period begins September 16, 2023 at two hundred (200) pounds per vessel per day.
  4. Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, May 1, 2023, the possession limit for the Black Sea Bass will be fifty (50) pounds per vessel per day; until the next sub period begins on July 1, 2023 at fifty (50) pounds per vessel per day.
  5. Beginning 12:00AM om Monday, May 1, 2023, the possession limit for Black Sea Bass for permitted Summer/Fall Aggregate Program participants is two hundred fifty (250) pounds per vessel per week (equal to five (5) times the daily limit of fifty (50) pounds).
  6. Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, May 1, 2023, the possession limit for the Scup General Category will be unlimited pounds per vessel per day; until the next sub period begins on October 1, 2023 at two thousand (2,000) pounds per vessel per day.
  7. Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, May 1, 2023, the possession limit for the Scup Floating Fish Trap will be unlimited pounds per vessel per day; until the next sub period begins on October 1, 2023 at two thousand (2,000) pounds per vessel per day.
  8. Beginning 12:00AM on Monday, May 1, 2023, the possession limit for the Bluefish will be six thousand (6,000) pounds per vessel per week; until the next sub period begins on November 16, 2023 at five hundred (500) pounds per vessel per week.

4/21/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, April 23, 2023, the possession limit for the Summer flounder Aggregate Landing Program will be three thousand (3,000) pounds per vessel per bi-week (permitted vessels only); until further notice.

4/12/2023
AMENDMENT TO EXISTING REGULATIONS

  1. Part 1 – Definitions and General Provisions:   Addition, removal, and amendment to terms in Definition of Terms section consistent with terms as found in RI General Laws Chapter 20-2.1; addition of species to Common Species section consistent with regulations Part 3 “Finfish”; other minor non-substantive changes and clarifications
  2. Part 3 - Finfish:
    • 2023 recreational black sea bass management
    • 2023 recreational scup management
    • 2023 commercial striped bass general category management
    • Removal of section for the Winter I Aggregate Program (moved to newly adopted Part 23 only, no changes to program made – see below)
    • Other minor non-substantive changes
  3. Part 4 – Shellfish:   2023 shellfish harvest schedule for the Providence River Shellfish Management Area
  4. Part 7 – Dealers:  Change to frequency of required dealer reporting of striped bass landings
  5. Part 23 - Aggregate Program for Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass:   Includes Winter I Aggregate Program (Jan. 1 – April 30) for Summer Flounder and new Summer/Fall Aggregate program (May 1 – December 31) for Black Sea Bass

The effective date for these rule changes in May 1, 2023. 

Please note that proposed amendments to Part 12 - Research Pilot Aggregate Program and Part 14 – Summer Flounder Exemption Certificate Program did not move forward (i.e., no amendments were made).  Part 12 remains expired with anticipated repeal at a later date.

 

3/24/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, March 26, 2023, the possession limit for the Summer flounder Aggregate Landing Program will be eight thousand five hundred (8,500) pounds per vessel per bi-week (permitted vessels only); until further notice
  2. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, March 26, 2023, the possession limit for the Black Sea Bass will be seven hundred fifty (750) pounds per vessel per week; until the next sub period begins on May 1, 2023 at fifty (50) pounds per vessel per day

2/10/2023
POSSESSION LIMIT MODIFICATION

  1. Beginning 12:00AM on Sunday, February 12, 2023, the possession limit for the Summer flounder Aggregate Landing Program will be six thousand (6,000) pounds per vessel per bi-week (permitted vessels only); until further notice

 

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