The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s 2010 Management Plan for the commercial Finfish Fishery Sector was posted on their web site December 9, 2009. The plan is updated annually and lists restricted species evaluating them with respect to stock status, quotas, current performance as well as recommendations for 2010. The objective of the annual plan is to provide DEM with a tool to assess the fishery and help them determine whether or not new commercial licenses should be granted. The plan asks if management goals have been satisfied, are possession limits reasonable quotas and whether or not the fishery can handle additional commercial fishing licenses. Restricted finfish included in the plan are striped bass, scup, summer flounder, black sea bass, winter flounder and tautog. Unrestricted species include bluefish, menhaden, monkfish and cod.

Recreational bag limits, sizes and fishing seasons, etc. are determined in part by this analysis after the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC) species advisory panels meet and DEM hears public opinion on recommendations. Recommendations are then passed along to the DEM executive director for consideration. Of course, the hope is that recommended possession limits, sizes, and season dates, etc. are determined in advance of the season. However the system, which allows for thorough public comment, is slowed down to make sure public input is obtained. Last year public hearings were still being held at the end of April with some recreational fishery possession limits, sizes, etc. being determined in May.

Information in the 2010 Management Plan bodes well for recreational fisherman in that stock assessments are indicating that popular fishery species targeted by recreational fishermen are not being overfished. For example the scup stock is no longer considered overfished and the Division's recommendation is to maintain effort at or below current levels in the commercial scup fishery. Summer flounder is not experiencing overfishing as well and the Division’s recommendation is to maintain effort at or below current levels in the commercial fishery. Tautog results indicate that fishing mortality rates have declined and the stock is not experiencing overfishing with a recommendation of maintaining effort at the current level. Striped bass total catch (both recreational and commercial) has increased since mid to late 1980s. The stock of striped bass ages thirteen and older has increase since 2003. The Division's recommendation is to maintain effort at or below current level in the commercial striped bass fishery.

Overall fishery recommendations for a variety of species are good and this can only be positive for the recreational fishery and anglers.

This system we have in Rhode Island for commercial and recreational fishing regulation and policy development is a good one. Recommendations are made by the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council which is comprised of a diverse group of citizens engaged in fishing, either commercial or recreational. The panel holds its species advisory panel meetings in public, and DEM uses recommendations as a guide to develop policy. Recommendations are again vetted by DEM at public hearings before final policy recommendations are made.

As citizens and anglers, we have an opportunity to attend RIMFC meetings this month and impact public policy. The meetings scheduled are noted below. All of the RIMFC meetings are being held at 6:00 p.m. in the evening at the URI Coastal Institute, Hazard Room, South Ferry Road in Narragansett. For meeting information contact Jason McNamee, DEM Fisheries Department at 401.423.1943.

December 29 RIMFC Tautog Advisory Panel Meting

January 6 RIMFC Scup/Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel Meeting

January 11 RIMFC Menhaden Advisory Panel meeting

January 12 RIJMFC Striped Bass Advisory Panel meeting

Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association Monthly Meeting

The RISAA’s monthly seminar is being held at 7:00 p.m. on January 25 at the West Valley Inn, West Warwick, RI. Seminars are preceded by a dinner which takes place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m... Two speakers are on the schedule that evening. Dr. David Bengtson from the University Of Rhode Island Department of Fisheries will present on Trends and Changes in Narragansett Bay and Captain Pat Rena with give a second presentation on light tackle trolling.

Remember, in 2010 to fish you must register

On-line and telephone registration for the National Saltwater Angler Registry will begin January 1, 2010. All anglers that fish or catch anadromous species in tidal waters such as striped bass, shad or river herring or those who fish in Federal waters more than three miles from the ocean shore or from the mouth of harbors, bays or rivers must register.

Exceptions include anglers who are under the age of 16, those that only fish on licensed charter, party or guide boats, those that hold a Highly Migratory Species Angler permit or are fishing under a valid commercial or subsistence fishing license. Details on the registry can be found at www.countmyfish.noaa.gov .

Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shell fishing on Narragansett Bay for over 40 years. He holds a captain’s master license and a charter fishing license. Your fishing stories, comments and questions are welcome… there’s more than one way to catch a fish so e-mail Captain Dave at dmontifish@verizon.net.