Will it be 1 or 2 in Rhode Island? Decision tonight!
 

RIMFC will decide whether to go 1 or 2 fish bag limit tonight – 6 pm at Corless Auditorium, URI Bay Campus. Please show up for the vote because in the past some funny things have happened at these decision meetings. If any proposed option is amended at this meeting they would have to allow audience comments. Last chance to be heard - Don’t let them vote without looking us in the face.

Going to try to make this.

The RIMFC decision is no decision at all, its simply a recommendation to the director of the DEM.

Correct - she holds the trump card.

Email I sent to Janet Coit, Director of RI DEM:


Dear Director:
As you may recall, I have written to you many times in the past regarding the plight of our state fish, the Striped Bass. I understand you have the final say in what requirements for bag and length limits get enacted.

I implore you to consider how the species is again in decline and 1 fish per day for recreational and charter boats is necessary to save whatever we have left.

To allow the charter boat community to take 2 fish per day per angler and allow the captain and First mate to also take 2 fish per day is unconscionable. In the typical scenario with a "6 pack charter" (6 Anglers per trip) this would amount to 16 fish killed each trip. Two charters a day times the number of commercial charter boats would amount to literally thousands of fish killed in a day.

I am not trying to put charter boats out of business. On the contrary, I am trying to protect the species so the charter boats can continue to stay in business.

I feel and equitable solution would be 1 fish per charter angler and the captain and mate be forbidden to take any fish when hosting a charter.

Thank you,

Paul Iemma
Board of Directors, Industrial Foundation of Burrillville.

So what are the assumptions that the DEM Director presently holds and what's the evidence that shows they may be invalid? I can help with messaging.

Too late. The comment period has come and gone. You may wish to comment to the Governor's office and perhaps DEM but the advisory committee has held its vote. The Public Comment period for the advisory board has conme abnd gone.

The advisory panel voted 5 to 3 to endorse the 2 fish limit, without amendments (such as Captain and mate having one or no fish). So this means the board's recommendation will be fore the 2 fish.

We'll need to see how they weight the public comment which was strongly for one fish.

I saw DZ, George Allen, and Peter Jenkins there tonight.

So is this a 2 fish limit for everyone?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Now along with pushing for only 1 fish per charter you are pushing to exclude the captain and the mate from that 1 fish?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

No - just party and charter. 1 @ 28 for private.

The point being some Charters were keeping 4 eatra fish that were hitting the market in season. You can be rec, charter, or commercial - choose one.

depends....are they "working full time"...or "recreational fishing"

we can pound out more emails to the GOV and J. Coit

http://www.governor.ri.gov/contact/

janet.coit@dem.ri.gov


Ross Squire provided some great bullet points regarding this John...

" I think it would take a significant outpouring by the public to have them go with Option 1. The case for Option 1 is pretty straight forward:

1. 70% of the public comments from the RI ASMFC public hearings favored a one fish bag limit for the recreational sector

2. New England/Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association Saltwater Fishing Show - largest industry trade show in the state:
• 86% of attendees participating in the survey favored Option 1: 1@28.
• 74% of RISAA members participating in their online survey favored Option A: 1@28.
• Majority of Rhode Island bait and tackle shop owners favor Option 1: 1@28.

3. Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut have all come out indicating support for 1@28

4. The ASMFC in their February 6, 2015 recap of the ASMFC Winter Meeting stated "Given the wide range of options being considered, the Board recommended neighboring states and jurisdictions work together to implement consistent management measures, especially on shared water bodies. This recommendation was also supported by the Commission’s Law Enforcement Committee."

5. The apparent "fish grab" by the Rhode Island for-hire fleet is unnecessary and irresponsible. With neighboring states indicating support for Option A there is absolutely no possibility of lost revenue as a result of adoption of Option A.

6. The percentages listed related to all of the Options are overstated as all percentages assumed 100% angler compliance. The angler non-compliance rate in 2013 was 15% and has averaged 7% over the past several years. Option 1 is the only option that offers RI the chance of actually realizing a 25% reduction from 2013 harvest levels."

Very disappointing.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

but not surprising...remember, this is the same state that decided that smoking and second hand smoke was so dangerous to patrons and employees in businesses that it needed to be banned in ALL establishments .....almost.....but allowed it to continue in the gaming parlors because I guess those employees and patrons were somehow different:smash:$$$$$....are you allowed to smoke on a charter boat?...if so...smoking and two bass could be a HUGE competitive advantage over neighboring states:rotf2:

http://www.providencejournal.com/art...50229328/13809

N Y, which is the main competitor for those wishing to fish Block Island waters is going with 2 fish per person.

Patrons of gambling parlors are risk takers
... you win some you lose some .
Did an expert on charterboats just ask the question "is smoking allowed on charterboats"?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Dear John,



Thank you for contacting Governor Raimondo’s office regarding striped bass regulations. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out.



Striped bass are very important to Rhode Island and our fishermen. Governor Raimondo has been seeking input from the Department of Environmental Management on the issue, and understands the significance of the Department’s pending regulatory decision. DEM has received many public comments, which have been incorporated into the public record. Yesterday the RI Marine Fisheries Council met to formulate a recommendation to the DEM Director. The Director will then make the final decision.



Thanks again for reaching out. As always we welcome your thoughts, ideas, and concerns and encourage you to share them with us.



Sincerely,





Brad Inman

Director of Constituent Services

Office of Governor Gina M. Raimondo

State House, Room 115

Providence, RI 02903

(401) 222-2080

brad.inman@governor.ri.gov
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

pretty sure that part of the reasoning behind supporting 1 bass all modes is/was to take the pressure off that population, one bass would make it less economically feasible for the boats from NY and Conn to steam across particularly if they were allowed to take 2 from their own waters closer to home(NY)

I don't think I have ever heard of anyone catching a fish under 30" 3-waying eels on southwest ledge. The average fish is 20 -25 lbs.

So.. At one of the largest slaughter grounds on the northeast, which is mostly dominated by charter boats, NOTHING is going to change. Nice.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

pretty sure the bulk of the argument was to protect employees and non-smoking patrons from second hand smoke...are employees and non-smoking patrons of gambling establishments somehow less important than other RI employees and patrons?....how about consistency Buck? isn't that how laws are supposed to apply?? aren't we all recreational fisherpeople regardless of how we get to the fish? geez...if you need something to eat that bad we have nice food pantries in RI too....(more sarcasm in case you missed it)

I was being sarcastic too buddy.
They make special rules all the time for different user groups .
Look at Imigration 😊
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yes... and I'm sure that you agree that it is wrong and an insult :hs:

another big WTF....

Dear Mike,



Thank your for contributions to Governor Raimondo’s office regarding striped bass We appreciate you taking the time to make a donation.
Please enjoy these attached tickets to the governors ball for you and a guest.


Striped bass are very important to Rhode Island and our fishermen. Governor Raimondo has been seeking input from the Department of Environmental Management on the issue, and understands the significance of the Department’s pending regulatory decision. DEM has received many public comments, which have been incorporated into the public record. Yesterday the RI Marine Fisheries Council met to formulate a recommendation to the DEM Director. The Director will then make the final decision.



Thanks again for donating. As always we welcome your thoughts, ideas, and contributions and encourage you to share them with us.



Sincerely,





Brad Inman

Director of Constituent Services

Office of Governor Gina M. Raimondo

State House, Room 115

Providence, RI 02903

(401) 222-2080

brad.inman@governor.ri.gov
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Mike,
You're taking me, right ???