Please be advised that the Division of Marine Fisheries has filed the following final rules resulting from the public hearing on March 6, 2023 and RI Marine Fisheries Council on April 3, 2023:
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
· 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.
Please click on the links to the rules provided above to view the final rule, supporting documentation and the Director’s decision memo (go to tab “Rulemaking Documents”). The Director’s decision memo can also be found on the Division’s webpage (go to the tab to the March 6, 2023 hearing)
Also please be advised that the permit application for the Aggregate Program for the Summer/Fall program for Black Sea Bass is now available on the Division’s Forms and Permit Applications webpage.
Thank you.
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