NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (AP) — Interstate fishing regulators are considering changes to rules that govern the removal of fins from coastal sharks by fishermen.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is set to consider an amendment that would allow fishermen to bring smooth dogfish to land with fins removed as long as their total retained catch is at least 25 percent dogfish.
Under current rules, fishermen can bring ashore as many finned dogfish as they choose.
The proposed change is up for public comment. Officials say it would better incorporate into state regulations an exception for smooth dogfish in the Shark Conservation Act of 2010.
