December 3, 2014 — The Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council met Monday to hear recommendations on 2015 regulations for commercial scup, black sea bass, monkfish and summer flounder (fluke). The council reviewed stock status and public comments and voted to maintain existing regulations for all species reviewed.
The council also assessed the new workshop/public hearing approach that combined four nights of advisory panel meetings and a public hearing into one night. The approach was viewed as a success, allowing for greater input from fishermen and more efficiency in terms of time and cost.
“We had greater participation from fishermen, with over 30 in attendance,” said Jason McNamee, DEM marine biologist. “In the past, with multiple meetings on separate nights, we often had three or four fishermen attend some specie advisory panels.”
The new approach is part of DEM Director Janet Coit’s “lean initiative.”
DEM and the council are moving forward with a similar approach later this winter to discuss regulations for recreational fishing.
Read the full story at the Providence Journal