For those RI divers that have missed this, RI DEM added a maximum size limit to the RI Lobster regs effective July 1st 2008. They have not yet updated either the fisheries abstracts, or their size limit summary page (RI DEM/Fish and Wildlife- Marine Fisheries Minimum Sizes and Possession Limits ) to reflect this so it is pretty easy to miss. You'll only find it if you read the full lobster regulations found here:
http://www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/regs/fishwild/rimf15.pdf
To quote:
"b. Maximum Size of Lobsters – No person shall catch or take from any of the waters within the jurisdiction of this state or have in their possession within this state any lobster or parts of lobsters, cooked or uncooked, which is greater than the maximum gauge size as specified in this section, measured from the rear of the eye socket along a line parallel to the center line of the body shell to the rear end of the carapace. As of July 1, 2008 the maximum gauge size shall be 5-1/4 inches (133.35mm)."
Just putting this up because they have done a crappy job of making this known and I'd hate for anyone to get caught by surprise. The lower limit is unchanged and remains 3 and 3/8's inches.
http://www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/regs/fishwild/rimf15.pdf
To quote:
"b. Maximum Size of Lobsters – No person shall catch or take from any of the waters within the jurisdiction of this state or have in their possession within this state any lobster or parts of lobsters, cooked or uncooked, which is greater than the maximum gauge size as specified in this section, measured from the rear of the eye socket along a line parallel to the center line of the body shell to the rear end of the carapace. As of July 1, 2008 the maximum gauge size shall be 5-1/4 inches (133.35mm)."
Just putting this up because they have done a crappy job of making this known and I'd hate for anyone to get caught by surprise. The lower limit is unchanged and remains 3 and 3/8's inches.
