Lobsters, Crabs and Other Crustaceans

Regulation Authority:

R.I. Gen Laws Title 20
Chapters 42-17.1
42-17.6
and 42-17.7
and in accordance with § 42-35-18(b)(5).

Purpose and Reason:

1. Horseshoe Crab Management:  

? Proposal 1 (Save the Bay):  Modify the existing spawning closure for the bait fishery; adopt a new spawning closure for the biomedical fishery; close several south shore coastal salt ponds to commercial biomedical harvest; and designate spawner sanctuaries to prohibit all harvest of horseshoe crabs (sections 5.7(C)(1), 5.7(D)(2)(b), 5.7(D)(3), & 5.7(F))

? Proposal 2 (Division):  Modify the reporting requirements for horseshoe crabs (section 5.7(C)(2)(b))

? Alternate industry proposal:  Do not implement the proposed spawning closure for horseshoe crabs as noticed or close all coastal salt ponds but modify current bait closure to a lunar bait closure.

2. Lobster LCMA 1 and LCMA 3 Management:  Amend the rule such that lobster trap allocation holders in LCMA 1 and LCMA 3 are not eligible for routine gear loss tags.  The proposed rule provides that LCMA 1 and 3 allocation holders may only order the number of trap tags equal to their authorized LTA. This proposal is to sync the rule and maintain compliance with the ASMFC Fisheries Management Plan for lobster (sections 5.5.1(N)(13)(b)(1), 5.5.2(H), and 5.5.3(N))

3. Lobster Minimum Size and Minimum Escape Vent Size Corrections:  Correct the minimum sizes for lobster and/or minimum escape vent sizes for lobster pots in LCMAs 1, 5, 6, and Outer Cape Cod. This proposal is to sync the rule and maintain compliance with the ASMFC Fisheries Management Plan for lobster (sections 5.5.2(A), 5.5.2(C), 5.5.5(C), 5.5.6(A) & 5.5.6(C), 5.5.7(A), 5.5.7(B), and 5.5.7(C)