The Rest of the Story: Rhode Island's Bonito & False Albacore Decision with Tony Friedrich
About this episode
Tony Friedrich discusses the rejection of proposed fishing regulations in Rhode Island and the implications for saltwater fishing.
Tony Friedrich of the American Saltwater Guides Association returns to break down a disappointing loss: Rhode Island DEM's rejection of common-sense bonito and false albacore regulations for 2026. Despite a proposal built on the state's own data, a compromise to match Massachusetts' five-fish limit, a generous commercial cap, and public comments running 60–3 in favor across two packed hearings, the effort was misrepresented and dismissed. Tony and Peter walk through the timeline, the advisory council's conflicts of interest, the tautog precedent that proves this approach works, and why this fight is far from over, including new bonito acoustic tagging research and a promise to return next cycle. To everyone who wrote a letter or missed dinner to attend a hearing: this one's for you. Stick with it.
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