Section 250-RICR-90-00-3.26 - Spiny Dogfish3.26.1CommercialA. Seasons, allocations, and possession limit: Rhode Island is currently designated as a State that is part of the Northern region. A Northern region possession limit and quota for spiny dogfish will be established annually by the ASMFC. The Northern region quota for spiny dogfish shall be the most recent allocation by the ASMFC, which is currently set at fifty-eight percent (58%) of the coastwide quota. 1. Season: May 1 through April 30.2. Possession limit: Seven thousand five hundred (7,500) pounds per person and per vessel per day. When notified that the quota in the Northern region has been harvested, or projected to be harvested, as determined by the NOAA Fisheries or the ASMFC, the DEM shall close the fishery for the remainder of the designated period.3. DEM is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with the other Northern region States for the purpose of establishing seasons and possession limits governing the taking of spiny dogfish, and may make adjustments as deemed necessary to comply with said agreements. DEM will consult with the Rhode Island State water spiny dogfish fishers prior to negotiating the subject agreements.B. Prohibition of finning: Finning is defined as the act of taking a spiny dogfish, removing the fins, and returning the remainder of the spiny dogfish to the sea. Finning spiny dogfish is prohibited in State waters. In addition, removing any fin of spiny dogfish at sea is prohibited (including the tail). All spiny dogfish must be landed with fins-naturally-attached to the corresponding carcass. Gutting fish at sea is permitted, so long as the fins remain attached by a portion of uncut skin.250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-90-00-3.26
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