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Commercial Fisheries News
Volume 34 Number 12
August 2007
RI proposes gillnet, whelk reg changes
NARRAGANSETT, RI – Due to progress on the comprehensive aquaculture management plan for Rhode Island’s coastal waters by the Coastal Resource Management Council (CRMC), the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council has begun to offer advice on aquaculture lease proposals once again.
During its July 2 meeting, the marine fisheries council voted on three lease proposals that it had previously set aside. It approved Perry Rasso’s 3.1-acre farm expansion proposal by a 6-0 vote with one abstention. David Roebuck received approval for a 4-acre expansion in a 2-1 vote with four abstentions. Bob Rheault also received approval for a 7.5-acre lease expansion in a 3-0 vote with four abstentions.
Dave Alves, the aquaculture initiative coordinator for CRMC, explained the progress made on the comprehensive plan.
“The working group with CRMC came up with an outline showing the steps to be taken to draw up an aquaculture plan,” he said. “This included a timeline and bench marks. The drawing up of this (outline) for a plan was enough in the eyes of the (marine fisheries) council to enable them to continue advising on aquaculture issues.”
Involved in the decision-making process at the CRMC’s June 21 meeting were representatives from the state’s Department of Environmental Management (DEM), the University of Rhode Island, Roger Williams University, and Save the Bay.
Gillnet, whelk proposals
During the July 2 meeting, the marine fisheries council discussed proposed changes to whelk and gillnet regulations that will be taken to public hearing on Aug. 6. A maximum lobster gauge proposal also was discussed as a public hearing topic but was put on hold pending discussions on other lobster regulation issues.
The proposed changes to gillnet rules relate to marking requirements. DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife is proposing to require gillnetters to place two orange or fluorescent orange bullet-shaped buoys on both the nearshore and offshore ends and to require that the “GN” mark on the buoys be a minimum width of 3".
Additionally, the buoys will have to be marked with the last name and Rhode Island commercial fishing license number of the gear owner.
The whelk proposals are extensive and involve: minimum size; commercial seasons; commercial possession limits; an owner-operator licensing requirement; gear marking; escape vents; tending and baiting requirements; and much more.
The Aug. 6 hearing will be held at the Corless Auditorium on the University of Rhode Island Bay Campus in Narragansett starting at 6 pm.
Tautog, APs
The council also heard a presentation on the findings of a tautog workshop that supported closing the fishery in June. The workshop showed that tautog spawn in late May and June in upper Narragansett Bay. Following the spawning season, tautog find habitat throughout Rhode Island coastal waters and then spend the rest of their lives in the area.
David Preble was appointed chair of the newly formed groundfish advisory panel, and Chris Anderson was appointed to the striped bass advisory panel.
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