250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-90-00-3.10

Current through December 26, 2024

Section 250-RICR-90-00-3.10 - Tautog

3.10.1Recreational

A. Minimum size: Sixteen inches (16").

B. Maximum size: One (1) fish only may be greater than twenty-one inches (21").

C. Season and possession limit:

1. January 1 through March 31: Closed.

2. April 1 through May 31: Three (3) fish per person per day.

3. June 1 through July 31: Closed.

4. August 1 through October 14: Three (3) fish per person per day.

5. October 15 through December 31: Five (5) fish per person per day.

6. Maximum per vessel possession limit: The possession limit shall be per person per day, as stated above, with a maximum of ten (10) fish per vessel per day.

7. Licensed party/charter vessels season and possession limit:

a. January 1 through March 31: Closed.

b. April 1 through May 31: Three (3) fish per person per day.

c. June 1 through July 31: Closed.

d. August 1 through October 14: Three (3) fish per person per day.

e. October 15 through December 31: Five (5) fish per person per day.

f. Licensed party/charter vessels are not subject to the ten (10) fish per vessel per day restriction.

3.10.2Commercial

A. Minimum size: Sixteen inches (16").

B. Season, allocation, and possession limit:

1. January 1 through March 30: Closed.

2. April 1 through May 31:

a. Allocation: Forty-two and one-half percent (42.5%) of the annual quota.

b. Possession limit: Ten (10) fish per person and per vessel per day.

3. June 1 through July 31: Closed.

4. August 1 through September 15:

a. Allocation: Fifteen percent (15%) of the annual quota.

b. Possession limit: Ten (10) fish per person and per vessel per day.

5. September 16 through October 14: Closed.

6. October 15 through December 31:

a. Allocation: Forty-two and one-half percent (42.5%) of the annual quota.

b. Possession limit: Ten (10) fish per vessel per day.

C. Commercial tautog tagging:

1. No tautog shall be sold, purchased, bartered, or traded in Rhode Island unless a tautog tag issued by the Director has been affixed to the left opercula bone with the tag number displayed.

2. All tautog harvested and landed in Rhode Island must be tagged prior to landing.

3. Eligibility: Tags shall be available only to Rhode Island commercially licensed fishermen authorized to harvest and/or land tautog.

4. No person shall transfer tautog tags between individuals or fish.

5. Tags are valid for one (1) calendar year.

6. All unused tags shall be returned to DMF by February 15 of the following year accompanied by the tag reporting form with the disposition of all tags (used, returned, broken, or lost) recorded. Failure to return tags and reports may result in the harvester's inability to participate in the commercial tautog fishery in the future.

7. No person shall reuse, counterfeit, alter, or modify any tautog tag, or possess, use, or attempt to use any counterfeit, altered or modified tags. Any person found in violation may be prohibited from participating in the commercial tautog fishery in the future.

8. Tautog must remain tagged until they reach the final consumer. Processed or fileted tautog shall be packed with the tag and available for inspection, with tags retained until all process or fileted tautog are sold.

250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-90-00-3.10

Amended effective 2/28/2019
Amended effective 5/2/2019
Amended effective 6/14/2019
Amended effective 1/1/2020
Amended effective 4/2/2020
Amended effective 7/7/2020
Amended effective 8/20/2020
Amended effective 10/10/2020
Amended effective 1/5/2021
Amended effective 3/30/2021
Amended effective 6/18/2021
Amended effective 1/1/2022
Amended effective 5/1/2022
Amended effective 8/18/2022
Amended effective 1/1/2023
Amended effective 4/30/2023
Amended effective 5/22/2023
Amended effective 9/14/2023
Amended effective 1/8/2024
Amended effective 4/28/2024
Amended effective 7/20/2024