Section 250-RICR-90-00-6.6 - Trawling DevicesA. Net obstruction or constriction: Any fishing vessel subject to minimum mesh size restrictions using a trawl net shall not use any device or material, including, but not limited to, nets, net strengtheners, ropes, lines, or chafing gear, on the top of a trawl net, except that one (1) splitting strap and one (1) bull rope (if present), consisting of line and rope no more than three (3) inches in diameter, may be used if such splitting strap and/or bull rope does not constrict, in any manner, the top of the trawl net. "The top of the trawl net" means the fifty percent (50%) of the net that (in a hypothetical situation) would not be in contact with the ocean bottom during a tow if the net were laid flat on the ocean floor. For the purpose of this paragraph, head ropes are not considered part of the top of the trawl net.B. The use of rollers, rockhoppers or discs greater than twelve (12) inches in diameter is prohibited in the marine waters of Rhode Island.C. Prohibited areas: In addition to those waters where all netting is prohibited, a trawling device is prohibited in the following areas: 1. In the Upper Narragansett Bay Marine Life Management Area as follows:a. From November 2 through June 30;b. On any Saturday, Sunday, or legal State holiday from July 1 through November 1;2. In Narragansett Bay north of a line extending from the Dock at Rocky Point in the city of Warwick, to Poppasquash Point to Hog Island Shoal Light to the north abutment of Mt. Hope Bridge in the town of Bristol. (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 20-4-2 and 20-4-3);3. In the Upper Sakonnet Marine Life Management Area.4. In all coastal salt ponds, except for otter trawling in Ninigret Pond and Quonochontaug Pond in accordance with § 6.9(D) of this Part.D. Otter Trawling 1. Areas prohibited: a. In Ninigret Pond on Saturdays, Sundays, and legal State holidays, south of a line extending from Marsh Point to Horseshoe Point on the Arnolds shore; west of a line extending from Marsh Point to Marsh Neck Point; and east of a line extending from the eastern shore of the Foster Cove channel to a point of land on East Beach located in a southerly direction from the Foster Cover inlet. b. In Quonochontaug Pond on Saturdays, Sundays, and legal State holidays, south of a line extending from Quahaug Point to the northwestern point of Nopes Island; and east of a line extending south from Quahaug Point to a point of land on the Quonochontaug Pond barrier beach located in a southerly direction from Quahaug Point.d. No person shall utilize an otter trawl from December 1 through February 28 annually, that has a mesh size which measures less than six (6) inches stretched mesh (measured inside knot to inside knot), in the following areas:(1) In Narragansett Bay north of a line extending from Carrier Pier in the town of North Kingstown to Conanicut Point in the town of Jamestown to the southern tip of Prudence Island to Carr's Point in the town of Portsmouth, excluding Mt. Hope Bay east of the Mt. Hope Bridge.(2) In the Sakonnet River north of a line from Sachuest Point in the town of Middletown to Sakonnet Point in the town of Little Compton, and south of the Sakonnet River Bridge (Rt. 24).(3) In Quonochontaug and Ninigret Pond.E. The use of midwater trawl gear is prohibited in the marine waters of Rhode Island.250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-90-00-6.6
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