The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has established a new bag limit of one striped bass/person/day at a 28-inch minimum size. The season will be open year-round with this new reduced limit applying to both private recreational anglers and those fishing on for-hire charter and party boats. The limit last year was two fish/person/day at a 28-inch minimum size.

The Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association (RIPCBA) had been opposed to the one fish limit. Capt. Rick Bellavance, president of the RIPCBA, has repeatedly said, “Our boats will stay at the docks, no one will hire a charter to take them fishing for one striped bass.”

DEM Director Janet Coit said she based her decision on the need to protect the health and future of the striped bass population. “Faced with the stark reality of a declining population, I am compelled to take strong action, consistent with our neighboring states, to reverse the decline and restore the striped bass fishery to a more robust and sustainable status,” said Coit.

Director Coit said that in many ways, this has been the most challenging marine fisheries issue that she has faced as Director. “The Department heard from hundreds of men and women who love to fish in Rhode Island. The passion and enthusiasm for stripers and fishing is overwhelming.  Rhode Island’s recreational fishing is world class, and we want to keep promoting our outstanding marine resources, our party and charter businesses, and the many jobs associated with this fishery,” said Coit.

Other recreational saltwater fishing regulations were announced for 2015 as well. Highlights include:

Summer flounder (or fluke): Status quo with last year’s regulations, 18” minimum size, a possession limit of eight fish/person/day. May 1 to December 31 season.

Black sea bass: The minimum size is now 14” (compared to 13” last year) with a shorter season for the first sub-period and reduced bag limit due to a needed 33% reduction mandated by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). Season runs from July 2 to August 31 with a reduced limit of one fish/person/day (was three fish last year). The second sub-period would run from September 1 to December 31 with a seven fish/person/day limit.

Scup: 10” minimum size with the 30 fish/person/

day limit with a May 1 to December 31 season. The bag limit for party and charter boats from September 1 to October 31 will increase to 45 fish and then back down to 30 fish/person/day from November 1 to December 31.

The 9” minimum size Special Area Provision for shore anglers include … India Point Park, Providence; Conimicut Point, Warwick; and Stone Bridge, Tiverton as well as new areas including Fort Adams, Newport; Fort Wetherill, Jamestown; the East and West Walls at the Harbor of Refuge, Pt. Judith/Narragansett; and Rocky Point, Warwick.

Tautog: Tautog are illegal to fish June 1 to July 31 during spawning season. Fish have to be sixteen inches. The catch limit for private recreational anglers from April 15 to May 31 and then August 1 to October 17 is three fish/person/day, which jumps to six fish/

person/day on October 18 to December 15. There is a ten fish per boat per day limit in all periods. The boat limit does not apply to charter and party boats.

All regulations available at www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/fishwild/m