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don't really know who was who Jay, it was a small venue...don't think they really anticipated much comment, I'd say 6 or 8 shore rec/private...there was a pair that walked in after we arrived that I believe were for-hires, a couple of guys there for Jonah Crabs, shellfish I think as well, and a few from the commercial sector...the most inspiring point of the night was when a commercial guy followed us out and offered quite a few words of encouragement and stressed consistency in the regulations, would like to have spent more time with him.......
they were cruising right through the SB portion and moving on to Jonah Crabs when Jenks interjected and Dennis followed to stress the importance of protecting the BI fishery...don't think they expected that
does seem very Rhode Island doesn't it? we have a declining resource so we'll limit the average RI rec fisherman and hope that slows the decline and at the same time, carve out a special exception for the for-hires so that they, their mate(s) and wealthy out-of-state clients can keep more bass than the average RI rec.....the average RI rec can keep two fish if he/she pays for the privilege by chartering a for-hire..I know a number of for hires that routinely take out club members and friends that I'm confident are not paying full fare...I wonder if these folks will be entitled to two fish and how that will be enforced?...we'll also let for-hire boats from out of state steam in with their clients and fish RI waters and keep two fish per as well....because..."you can't have boats fishing side by side under different regulations"......"that would make enforcement difficult"...like I said....the shore recs/private are invisible to these people...that much was clear
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