08-12-2008, 11:10 AM
DURHAM, N.H. -- The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will hold a public hearing on various proposed marine rule changes on September 2, 2008, at 7 p.m. at the Urban Forestry Center, 45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth, N.H. The hearing will be of particular interest to those who fish using gillnets, as well as those taking scallops.
The proposed rule changes under consideration would:
* Readopt with amendment a rule relative to marking and tending gear (pots, traps and nets) to further modify the breaking strength for weak links on gill nets. The change is necessary because previously proposed federal rules had a 600-pound breaking strength for both gillnets and trap buoys, but the final federal rule (implemented after Fish and Game's last rulemaking proceeding had been finalized), had an 1,100-pound break strength for gillnets.
* Readopt with amendment the rule relative to the manner and methods for taking scallops, to specify a daily limit of 200 pounds per day. Any persons currently taking scallops in the Gulf of Maine under a federal fishery permit are already restricted to the daily limit.
* Readopt various marine rules that were recently adopted as interim rules because they had expired or were about to expire, relative to definitions, gear restrictions, goosefish and shellfish.
The complete marine rulemaking notice forms, with original and proposed rule language, may be found at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislat...ummary.htm.
New Hampshire Fish and Game is also readopting without change various rules pertaining to lobster trap tags and marine species managed under the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries compact. These include river herring, American eels, sturgeon, billfish (blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish and longbill spearfish) and horseshoe crab.
Written comments on the proposed changes may be submitted by September 15, 2008. E-mail to comments@wildlife.nh.gov (please put "Comments on Marine Rules" in subject line); fax to (603) 271-1438; or mail to Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. For more information about N.H. Fish and Game's Marine Division, visit http://www.FishNH.com/marine.
The proposed rule changes under consideration would:
* Readopt with amendment a rule relative to marking and tending gear (pots, traps and nets) to further modify the breaking strength for weak links on gill nets. The change is necessary because previously proposed federal rules had a 600-pound breaking strength for both gillnets and trap buoys, but the final federal rule (implemented after Fish and Game's last rulemaking proceeding had been finalized), had an 1,100-pound break strength for gillnets.
* Readopt with amendment the rule relative to the manner and methods for taking scallops, to specify a daily limit of 200 pounds per day. Any persons currently taking scallops in the Gulf of Maine under a federal fishery permit are already restricted to the daily limit.
* Readopt various marine rules that were recently adopted as interim rules because they had expired or were about to expire, relative to definitions, gear restrictions, goosefish and shellfish.
The complete marine rulemaking notice forms, with original and proposed rule language, may be found at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislat...ummary.htm.
New Hampshire Fish and Game is also readopting without change various rules pertaining to lobster trap tags and marine species managed under the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries compact. These include river herring, American eels, sturgeon, billfish (blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish and longbill spearfish) and horseshoe crab.
Written comments on the proposed changes may be submitted by September 15, 2008. E-mail to comments@wildlife.nh.gov (please put "Comments on Marine Rules" in subject line); fax to (603) 271-1438; or mail to Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. For more information about N.H. Fish and Game's Marine Division, visit http://www.FishNH.com/marine.