Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnR
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 come and 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 for 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.
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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."