Current regulations limit to ten (10) the number of tautog a lobsterman can have in possession when he is also in possession of more than six (6) lobsters.  If you have six or fewer lobsters on board, the tautog possession limit is 25.  Councilor John Davi stated that this small limit meant that a lobsterman often had to make two trips to harvest his catch (one trip with no more than 6 lobsters and up to 25 blackfish and a second trip with the rest of his/her lobster catch, often on the same day) and that this was an unreasonable economic burden of this stressed industry.  He made a motion that the Council recommend to DEC that the limit be raised to allow not more than one-hundred (100) lobsters when a lobsterman is in possession of 25 tautog.

Mr. Witek felt that this would be tantamount to increasing the by-catch of tautog from lobster pots, which he would oppose.  A question was raised whether a lobsterman making two such trips in a single day was legal.  Mr. Jordan felt that his view on this motion would be influenced on what changes to the blackfish management plan were impending, which should be clearer in a month or so.

The motion by Mr. Davi was adopted by a vote of 5 in favor; 3 opposed; 3 abstentions.

 

Page last modified Friday, December 29, 2006 by George E. Carroll