[whale]

I have witnessed plenty of people keeping shorts....I can only assume they have a commercial license. Of course, I have first hand knowledge of guys at my marina keeping shorts w/o commercial license.

On opening day I witnessed Rhode Island DEP checking boats off Watch Hill. I was boarded once last year but it was by the Coast Guard. They looked at my fish but did not measure any. I do not keep shorts but I do keep fluke belly strips for bait....technically this illegal and I can be fined for it so I keep them handy for subtle dumping over the side if I see a DEP boat nearby.