NOTICE
Modification to possession limits and/or seasons for marine species regulated under quota
- Beginning 12:00A.M. on Monday, May 17, 2021 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 and if at any time biomass is estimated to drop below 1.5 million pounds, or the commercial biomass ceiling is projected to be harvested, or the states commercial quota has been projected to be harvested, the commercial fishery may close with 48 hours’ notice. Please see the commercial menhaden regulations (Part 3, section 3.22.2) for more information, or contact Nicole Lengyel Costa at 401-423-1940 with questions.
Possession limits are subject to modification throughout the year; it is the responsibility of the licensed fisherman to comply with possession limits and all such modifications. Current commercial possession limits can be found by calling (401) 423-1920, or visiting the Marine Fisheries webpage at http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/marine-fisheries/mfsizes.php.
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5-14-2021.pdf