SportFishing and Charters Forum - What regs apply

I am fishing in the northeast and although I have asked this question before the answers I got made no sense, so If I am fishing in RI waters (ocean) and drive my boatback to Mass who's regulations apply? RI's or Ma's?

Typically, states write their rules as "possession" rules. Consequently, while you're in RI, their rules apply, when you move to Mass, you have to obey their rules, too.

Have you identified any regulations that may be contradictory? If not, don't worry about it. If so, an e-mail to the state's respective regulatory agency might net you a good response. Having a copy of the response onboard if you are ever checked could also be helpful.

Yes the reg in question is for summer flounder (fluke) RI's season is longer than mass's also I fish in RI but dock in mass.

State laws, regs and licensing requirements apply when you are inside that state's legal waters. If I fish in SC waters and dock my boat in Georgia, I need two fishing licenses if I am returning with fish in the box.

Here is another example. We scallop in the legal area north of Pasco County. If I were to boat up from Pasco to the scalloping area. I would be in violation by bringing the scallops back down to Pasco county on the boat. If I trailer up and back then I am o.k. I understand the intent, but it's a bit of a pain. The local law applies to any area that you boat through while having the catch on board.

As for the Mass/RI thing....watch out for the striper possession laws...they have really been nailing people lately on the federal waters stipulation. A bunch of charter trips got pinched for having stripers in federal waters and received pretty stiff fines for it. If you are steaming back to Mass, stay in the 3 mile coastal perimeter! Also watch out running back from Block