Proposed RI Fillet Law
 

I sit on the DEM Enforcement Advisory panel as an alternate representative for shore anglers. One of the items DEM is looking at is a possible Fillet Law as RI is the only East Coast and one of just a couple states that do not have a Fillet Law on the books. Part of DEM's arguments are to help them in enforcement. Tonight will be another meeting to discuss this and I would like some feedback from all of you.

The basic proposals are:

Status Quo - No Filet Law

Take Fish home and clean

Take fish to approved cleaning stations (like at Marinas)

There was also talk of a convoluted filet had to be x percentage of legal minimum to filet and keep (which seems an enforcement nightmare) with perhaps even a 1 inch by 1 inch sliver of attached skin...

So please vote once only for one option in this poll. If you are a RI resident, select the RI Resident part, and non-resident if you reside out of state


Thanks!

John

Any comments? :hee:

I'll be heading over in a few hours for this meeting...

Thanks!

John

Clean them at home....

Of course charters capatins will want an exception. I don't realy have an issue with them filleting for their customers since I expec tthey will follow the law...

Meeting time and location
 

This meeting is open to the public,if you'd like to attend here are the details ,The meeting commences wednesday at 6:00 PM and will be held at:
Stedman Government Center
RI Division of Fish & Wildlife
2nd floor conference room
4804 Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI
directions: http://www.dem.ri.gov/contact/ fw.htm

While personally I think fish waste is better off at sea then in a dumpster or marina, at this point in time I think a consistant law is needed with surrounding states. (even though I don't agree with the surrounds states law(s))

Also, I think states should do more to educate the fishing public about the benfits of being a good sportsmen. Esp. children. This might help the enforcement issue and actually do some good long term.

fillet on the rocks, on the beach

bleed the fish as soon as you decide to keep it, then fillet when the night is over

:claps: I hear that Jim...

I like cleaning my fish on the rocks when done at home it is a mess,and my dog goes nuts,plus some spots it is to hard to walk a fish out.I always keep a plastic bag in my waders to carry the fillets back.

Or When your partner forgets his...

The striped bass fishery is better monitored by the DEM if the bass is whole. This will help prevent illegal activites (undersized bass and exceded bass limits). It is easier to concel fillets then whole bass.
It is convient to clean bass on the rocks but if it can prevent at least one person from illegal activities then I'll sacrivice my convience. Boat fish are no exception to the rule.

It was voted down by the advisory panel 4-0

What was voted down?

Was there any change to the current law?

I think RI should have a fillet law. Back in October while fishing in the afternoon a couple of guys were filleting their catch of blues and stripers and what did they do to the carcasses, threw it right on the side of the rocks,sure it might not be illegal but it wasnt very pleasant to look (20+ fish filleted). Just my 2 cents.

kick all the gooks off the beach. no need for a filet law.

It was tabled for now and shouldn't come back up for this year...

Voted down at last nighte RIMFAC meeting, its dead until next time.

why create more unenforceable laws which create the need for more manpower at the state level of Div. of fish and wildlife. I have fished RI for 25+ years and have yet to be stopped by any enforcement entity. We all know what cohort may be taking undersized fish and enforcement should focus on them, however, I'm certain there will be the inevitable discrimination suit against the state for selective enforcment...

I disagree. Short fish is not the only thing they need to chase and it is not just one or two usergroups that need to be enforced...

The problem with most of these proposed changes are that it really just impacts the person legally doing what they are supposed to do. It's not going to put much enforcement teeth in against the people breaking the law. More effective would be more EPOs to police but sadly that aint gonna happen...

Chief Hall did say one important thing - a lot of people yell about enforcement patrols not out and about but not enough calls are coming in from people when they see violations.... He'd like to see more calls...

I will unstick this thread as it has run its course....

Thanks everyone for their input

What's the number to call? I'll put it in my cell phone...

401-222-3070

401-222-3070

John,
FYI, regarding the hotly debated subject of recreational fishermen fishing with commercial fishermen. Mark Gibson asked for a legal opinion at the last The RIFMC meeting and I wrote a note to Gary Powers about it. Gary is supposed to have an opinion at the next meeting.