On Friday, April 7, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) annoucned the long-awaited 2017 marine recreational fishing regulation changes for black sea bass, fluke/summer flounder and blackfish/tautog. This followed the public hearing held on February 13, 2017, and RI Marine Fisheries Council meeting held on February 28, 2017. These regulations become effective on April 27th and are as follows:
BLACK SEA BASS: 15-inch minimum. May 25 – August 31, 3 fish. September 1 – September 21, 7 fish. September 22 – October 21, CLOSED. October 22 – December 31, 7 fish.
BLACKFISH/TAUTOG: 16-inch minimum – April 15 – May 31, 3 fish per person; June 1 – July 31 CLOSED; August 1 – October 14, 3 fish per person; October 15 – December 15, 6 fish per person. Maximum per vessel possession limit is 10 fish regardless of number of anglers onboard.
FLUKE/SUMMER FLOUNDER: 19-inch minimum, May 1 – December 31, 4 fish.
Additional finfish and shellfish regulations were also set.
The official memo from Janet Coit, DEM Director, was also made public.