[Rimarinefisheries] Providence River Shellfish Management Area (Conditional Area “E”) commercial bay quahog schedule

[RI Marine Fisheries]

Please be advised that amendments to the RI Marine Fisheries regulations Part 4 – Shellfish<https://rules.sos.ri.gov/Regulations/part/250-90-00-4?reg_id=13114> have been amended for the commercial bay quahog harvest schedule for the Providence River Shellfish Management Area (Conditional Area “E”):

·         Commercial 2024 harvest schedule: Open only from 8:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. on the following dates:

o   May 6, 13, 20, 22, and 28.

o   June 3, 10, 17, 19, 24, 26, and 28.

o   July 1, 2, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, and 31.

o   August 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28, and 30.

o   September 3, 9, 16, 23, and 30.

o   October 7, 14, 21, and 28.

o   Fishery closure:  The area will close once twenty-one (21) days have been open to harvest for the months from May through October.

o   December 16 through December 20, 2024:  Open only on the first two (2) non-consecutive weekdays that are not closed due to water quality impairment.

o   December 23 through December 27, 2024: Open one (1) weekday on the first available weekday that is not closed due to water quality impairment, not including December 24 and 25 which shall be closed.

·         Commercial 2025 harvest schedule*: Open only from 8:00 A.M. until 10:00 A.M. on the following dates:

o   February 10 and 24.

o   March 10 and 24.

o   April 7 and 21.

* Please note the remainder of the 2025 schedule will be addressed in early 2025

·         Additional provisions adopted for the area:

o   On days closed in this area, the taking or possession of bay quahog is prohibited, and all gear used in the taking of bay quahog shall be stowed.

o   On days open as specified herein, all gear used in the taking of bay quahog shall be stowed except during the scheduled opening.

o   On days open as specified herein, possession of bay quahog is prohibited forty-five (45) minutes after a scheduled closure.

o   A vessel in possession of bay quahog harvested in an open area of State waters may transit a closed portion of State waters in possession of that species, provided the operator of the vessel has a valid fishing license, and all gear capable of harvesting shellfish is stowed.

As a conditional area this area is subject to water quality closures.  Harvest or possession of bay quahog is prohibited when the area is closed due to water quality impairment.  Current water quality status may be obtained by calling the Shellfish Closure Hotline 401-222-2900. Shellfish closures are also listed on the DEM Office of Water Resources Shellfish website<https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources/research-monitoring/shellfish-area-monitoring>.

Thank you.
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