PUBLIC NOTICE
PROPOSED REGULATION AMENDMENTS
Please be advised that the Division of Marine Fisheries has publicly noticed the following regulation(s) to consider proposed amendments:
Summary of Rulemaking Action (go to attached or click here for supplemental guidance document):
1. Proposed amendments to recreational black sea bass management (section 3.9.1)
2. Proposed amendments to recreational scup management (section 3.10.1)
3. Proposed amendments to commercial striped bass general category management (section 3.11.2(A))
4. Proposed amendments to commercial striped bass floating fish trap management (section 3.11.2(A)(4))
5. Proposed amendments to commercial striped bass management regarding the gill netting prohibition (section 3.11.2(C))
6. Proposed amendments to recreational summer flounder management (section 3.12.1)
7. Proposed amendments to recreational tautog management (section 3.13.1)
8. Proposed amendments to commercial tautog management (section 3.13.2)
1. Amend the # of participating vessels from six (6) to twelve (12) (section 12.8(C)).
2. Amend the term of the program through 2022 (section 12.12)
3. This amendment is proposed as an alternative to proposed adoption of new rule “Part 19 – Aggregate Landing Program for Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass”. If Part 19 is adopted, this rule would become obsolete and would be proposed for repeal at a later date. If this rule is maintained, Part 19 would not be considered for adoption at this time
4. IMPORTANT! The Division proposal represents proposed regulations based on simulation results. However, the Division is seeking comments on the proposed rule to inform the final decision making process.
Summary of Rulemaking Action (go to attached or click here for supplemental guidance document):
1. Division proposal to adopt new rule to authorize the aggregate (i.e., weekly) possession limit of black sea bass and summer flounder by permit. This proposed adoption is proposed as an alternative to proposed amendment of rule “Part 12 – Research Pilot Aggregate Program”. Adoption of this rule would not be considered if Part 12 is maintained.
2. IMPORTANT! The Division proposal represents proposed regulations based on simulation results. However, the Division is seeking comments on the proposed rule to inform the final decision making process.
Summary of Rulemaking Action: Division proposal to amend section 14.8 “Applicability” to clarify that possession or landing of summer flounder in excess of two hundred (200) pounds per vessel or per person per day is allowed only of the person holds a valid Exemption Certificate or is enrolled in an exempted program.
Please click on the links to the regulations provided above and go to tab “Rulemaking Documents” to view the proposed rule(s), public notice(s) and supplemental guidance.
A public hearing will be held Monday, February 7, 2022, 6:00pm, both in-person and virtually.
In person: URI Bay Campus, Corless Auditorium, 215 South Ferry Road, Narragansett. Please be advised that all in-person attendees will be required to wear a mask per the Governor’s order.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83516797237; meeting ID: 835 1679 7237
Comments may be submitted in writing and are strongly encouraged. Division staff are available to answer any questions.
The public comment period ends on February 25, 2022, 4:00PM. The RI Marine Fisheries Council is scheduled to meet on Monday, March 7 to provide their recommendations to the Director on the proposed rules.
For all public meetings and supporting documentation please visit the Division’s calendar page here
Thank you.
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