still work to do...yesterday was a good day....need to appeal to the Gov, Director Coit and I think, to the good folks who were involved in the process along the way....we were told that RI had to offer the second option (Option#2) in Alexandria because they needed to protect RI for hires against a competitive disadvantage should neighboring states opt for a mode split for charters and also to keep regulations consistent between boats state to state (within the mode) assuming that Mass and perhaps CT was going to opt for mode splits.
That premise is now gone, the
ONLY way that RI can prevent what they claim they were trying to avoid by including a second option (Option #2) (AND IT IS "#2"..MORE IRONY
) is to fall in line with Mass with Option#1 and have Ct. follow, NY boats will only be allowed 1 bass per client if they choose to fish our waters.
OPTION #2 is now invalid based on the premise that it was originally offered. To do otherwise, to establish mode splits now would be irresponsible and downright disingenuous. I am contacting everyone going back to the meeting before the ASMFC meeting and imploring them to reach out to the Governor and Director on this, I'd encourage all concerned to do so as well, they were either misled, mistaken or willing participants of a hoax which has led to this. This cannot be what they intended based on what we were told and if it somehow was, that would be pretty insidious. I believe, based on what I saw, that some of them were very reluctant including that second option. Perhaps now they will do the right thing.