RHODE ISLAND MARINE FISHERIES REGULATIONS Part 6 General Equipment Provisions (250-RICR-90-00-6)

Regulation Authority:

Title 20, Chapters 42-17.1, 42-17.6, and 42-17.7, and in accordance with Chapter 42-35-18(b)(5), Administrative Procedures Act of the Rhode Island General Laws of 1956, as amended.

Purpose and Reason:

1. Proposal #1 – section 6.5.3(E)(6): Proposal is to amend the regulation regarding gill net tagging. 2. Proposal # 2 - section 6.5.3(K)(7): Proposal is to delete the regulation regarding a gill net prohibition in an area of the coast of Block Island. 3. Proposal # 3 - section 6.5.4: Proposal is to clarify fyke net registration requirements. 4. Proposal # 4 - section 6.5.5: Proposal is to amend the regulation such that the prohibition of seine nets applies to all coastal salt pond channels. No testimony or comments were provided to not adopt any of the proposed rules. All proposals to be adopted. CHANGES TO TEXT (between proposed and final rule): Final regs to be adopted re: gill net tagging were slightly amended (not substantive) as a result of comment and recommendation of the RI Marine Fisheries Council and is a logical outgrowth of the public vetting process. Proposed language: “Tags shall be attached to the vertical lines at each end of each net string. The total number of tags must equal the total number of each of the individual 300 foot nets in the string. Each individual string of 450 foot nets shall require two (2) tags. Tags shall be attached to both the bottom and top of the vertical line of the string.” Final Language:“Tags shall be attached to both vertical lines of a string of gill nets at the point proximate to where the bridle is joined to the vertical line. Tags shall be equally distributed between vertical lines, the difference of the number of tags on each vertical line shall not exceed one tag. One tag must be attached for every 300 linear feet of net used in a string.” Date to be signed by the Director: August 8, 2017