Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 250 - Department of Environmental Management › Chapter 90 - Marine Fisheries › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 5 - Lobsters, Crabs and Other Crustaceans › Section 250-RICR-90-00-5.7 - Horseshoe Crab

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Harvest by
				  residents only: The harvest of horseshoe crabs by non-residents is
				  prohibited.
B. Minimum size: Seven
				  inches (7") prosomal width
C. Permit
				  required: No person shall harvest horseshoe crabs without a valid Horseshoe
				  Crab Harvest Permit obtained from the Director. Application for this permit
				  shall be made on forms prescribed by the Director.
1. Eligibility: The permit is available to
				  all licensed persons authorized to harvest horseshoe crab.
2. Permit conditions
a. The permit is valid only for the calendar
				  year of issuance.
b. Reporting
(1) Reporting of landings shall be on forms
				  as prescribed by the Director.
(2)
				  Weekly reporting: All permit holders shall provide a report of landings for
				  each calendar week either by telephone or in writing, including reports of no
				  landings. Reports shall be submitted no later than Monday 4:00PM for the
				  previous calendar week's landings.
(3) Monthly reporting: All permit holders
				  shall provide a monthly report in writing including the number of crabs taken,
				  locations of harvest, and use (bait, biomedical purposes, or other reasons).
				  These reports shall not be made public and shall be kept only for statistical
				  purposes.
c. Biomedical
				  harvest
(1) Horseshoe crabs harvested and
				  transported to a biomedical facility for purposes of extracting bodily fluids
				  shall be returned to the waters from which they were taken within seventy-two
				  (72) hours following the completion of the biomedical procedure, or intended
				  procedure, if no procedure was performed.
(2) The dealer is responsible and liable for
				  returning the crabs and shall make every attempt to assure their survival.
				  Prior to returning the crabs to the water, the dealer shall report to DEM's
				  Division of Law Enforcement by calling 401 -2223070, and include the name of
				  dealer, the number of crabs being returned, and location where the crabs will
				  be returned.
(3) Horseshoe crabs
				  must be transported to and from a biomedical facility in a
				  temperature-controlled vehicle at or below seventy degrees Fahrenheit
				  (70°F). Containers of crabs must be secured and at most two thirds (2/3)
				  full.
3.
				  Penalties for non-compliance: In addition to the penalties for non compliance
				  as specified in §
											1.11 of this Subchapter,
				  penalties for reporting non-compliance are as follows:
a. First instance: A first (1st) offense
				  shall result in a warning being issued to the permit holder.
b. Second instance: A second (2nd) offense
				  shall result in revocation of the permit for the remainder of the calendar year
				  for which the permit is issued.
c.
				  Third instance: A third (3rd) offense shall result in revocation of the permit
				  for the remainder of the calendar year for which the permit is issued, and also
				  result in the prohibition to apply for the permit in the subsequent
				  year.