Tag Archives: Department of Environmental Management
Rhode Island’s commercial fishing industry, by the numbers
The calamari comeback is going strong, while lobsters lag and flounders flounder. That’s according to a new Department of Environmental Management report on the fishing industry last year. In 2022, the overall value of commercial fishing landings in Rhode Island was $100.6 million. That’s about 10 percent lower than 2021 when you account for inflation. The drop is discouraging, but there’s a lot that plays into seafood landings annually, including biological, fisheries management, and economic factors, according to Conor McManus, chief of DEM’s Division of Marine Fisheries. The full DEM report also takes a look at recreational fishing, but for today, we’ll stick with a seafood sampler of data about the commercial fishing industry. >click to read< 08:23
DEM seizes 9ft tuna from Massachusetts charter they say was fishing illegally in RI waters
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management seized a 113-inch giant bluefin tuna from a Massachusetts charter boat last week and issued a criminal summons for the boat’s captain. The fish was seized after environmental police officers determined that the captain had paying clients on his vessel and didn’t have the required state commercial fishing license and permit to fish in Rhode Island state waters, the DEM said. The boat was escorted to port, where the fish was seized and sold to a licensed dealer, the DEM said. The money from the sale is being held in escrow. >click to read< 14:43
R.I. Truckers Back $46 Million Plan to Upgrade Commercial Fishing Port
The Rhode Island Trucking Association backs the governor’s request to invest $46 million to add decades to the life of a major East Coast commercial fishing hub in the Port of Galilee while improving freight movements. The port, operated by the state Department of Environmental Management (DEM), occupies 38 acres in the town of Narragansett. It has two port terminals, 240 commercial fishing boats and 40 docks and piers. Businesses that support the commercial fisheries there include seafood dealers, fish processors, fuel, ice supplies, fishing gear and truck transportation. >click to read< 13:02
Rhode Island Fishermen Eligible to Apply For $255 Million in Coronavirus Relief Funds
The Rhode Island Congressional Delegation and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announce that commercial fishing and charter/for hire businesses, qualified aquaculture operators, seafood processors, and dealers are eligible to apply for an additional $255 million in assistance funding provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The funding will support activities previously authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. >click to read< 21:37
Town Dock to offer vaccine clinic for commercial fishermen, employees
The Town Dock in Narragansett is partnering with the Governor’s Office, the Department of Health, and the Department of Environmental Management to host a vaccine clinic this week. The free, walk-up clinic is for crews of the commercial fishing fleet, as well as employees of shoreside businesses in the Port of Galilee. The clinics will be held Tuesday, July 13 and Wednesday, July 14 from 12-4 p.m at The Town Dock. Clinicians will be administering the single shot J&J vaccine. Coronavirus testing will also be offered at the clinic. >click to read< 07:35
Problems at the Port of Galilee being fixed. Finally.
The Port of Galilee in Narragansett, home to 200 fishing boats, is a working seaport in need of work itself. You can see large gaping holes of rusted out steel. Pilings are rotting. Decking on the docks has become so beaten down, weathered and dangerous. “Long overdue,” said lobsterman, Louis Fusco. “People falling, people getting hurt, getting electrocuted. The fishing port of Galilee produces a lot of income for the state, tax dollars, just jobs. I mean, the list goes on and on.” video, >click to read< 16:26
Rhode Island: New Temp License Allows Commercial Fishermen to Sell Seafood Directly to Consumers, Retailers
“There is a growing demand for local seafood during this critical time, and we’re fortunate that our commercial harvesters are able to meet the needs of residents with the abundant seafood resources available off our coast,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Rhode Islanders can take pride in knowing that when they purchase fresh local seafood, at local retailers or right off the boat from harvesters, they are helping to keep a vital part of our economy – our commercial fishing and seafood industry – up and running.” The new direct-sale opportunity supports the development of new, local supply chains for RI seafood. As an emergency regulation, the measure will remain in effect for up to 120 days. >click to read< 08:46
New Commercial Fishing License Opportunities Available This Year For RI Residents
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is accepting applications for new and renewed commercial fishing licenses through Friday, February 28. New endorsement opportunities for Rhode Island residents are as follows: 36 new quahog endorsements will be issued on the Commercial Fishing License (CFL) that allow for the commercial harvest of quahogs. Six new soft shell clam endorsements will be issued on the CFL that allow for the commercial harvest of soft shell clams. In addition, 15 new restricted finfish endorsements, available to both residents and non-residents, will be issued this year on the Principal Effort License (PEL). For more, >click to read< 07:22
R.I. officials find no fault with accidental shark catch | Video
After an analysis of video, the Department of Environmental Management determined that a Rhode Island commercial fisherman netted a juvenile white shark off Westerly and released the shark in compliance with state regulations, a DEM spokesman said Monday night. The video, which was posted on social media, showed a shark of about 6 feet in length and weighing 250 to 350 pounds, said the spokesman, Michael Healey. DEM’s Division of Law Enforcement did not investigate the incident and the fishermen who caught the shark were not required to file a report under the circumstances, Healey said. Still, DEM investigators reviewed the video and determined that no violation occurred, Healey said. Video, >click to read<10:01
Rhode Island starts mandatory wild shellfishing education and certification program
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has introduced a mandatory education and certification program for commercial harvesters of wild shellfish. A DEM press release describes the new program as one that will enhance the safety of shellfish sold to consumers. “The goal of the program is to ensure that shellfish harvesters deliver a safe product to shellfish dealers and, in turn, to shellfish consumers,” the written statement reads. All commercial wild shellfishing license-holders will have to comply with the new certification, beginning this year. >click here to read< 14:44 
Shellfish harvested from RI waters test negative for toxins
While Rhode Island’s shellfishing industry is still on hold as toxin levels in area waters remain high, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management reported Friday that shellfish meat tested negative for toxic phytoplankton. “Every time we have found toxicity in the water column, we’ve never found it in the shellfish,” Angelo Liberti of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management told NBC 10 News. A harmful algae bloom forced a precautionary closure of Narragansett Bay, Mt. Hope Bay, Kickemuit River, Sakonnet River, as well as their tributaries, on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7. Authorities hope that the shellfishing industry will be fully operational again soon. That’s good news for shellfishermen, who have been out of work since the closure was enacted. If the remaining shellfish samples come back negative, they could be back in business as soon as next week. Read the story here 15:05
Rhode Island Fishermen Arrested for Illegal Striped Bass Fishing
Three Rhode Island men were arrested by state environmental police for activity over the past two months, according to the state Department of Environmental Management. Raymond Jobin, 72, of Charlestown, was apprehended by police and agents from the NOAA Office for Law Enforcement for possessing striped bass and trying to sell them in Massachusetts. Commercial fishermen David M. Fewster, 48, of East Providence and John E. Linton, 65 of Narragansett both face administrative penalties by DEM. Read the rest here 17:25
Rhode Island commercial fishing license applications now being accepted thru March 2nd
Applications are now being accepted for commercial fishing licenses. The Department of Environmental Management is taking the requests for new and renewed commercial fishing licenses for 2015. You only have until March 2. The application period has been extended from the February 28th deadline set forth in commercial fishing regulations because that date falls on a Saturday. Read the details here 18:16
New RI Marine Fisheries Institute to be formed
The University of Rhode Island and state Department of Environmental Management have teamed up to create a new organization devoted to marine fisheries. Read more here 11:18
The Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC) held meeting in preparation of November 8, 2012 public hearing
Captain Dave Monti. The Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC) held commercial fluke (summer flounder), scup/black sea bass and herring advisory panel meetings on October 2 in preparation for a Thursday, November 8, 2012 public hearing. The purpose of the advisory panels is to provide industry (fishermen) and the general public with the opportunity to offer input and proposals to be considered at public hearing.
Advisory panels reviewed Department of Environmental Management (DEM) presentations on stock assessment, historical fishing activity and allocations. The November 8th public hearing on proposed management plan changes is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, Corless Auditorium, South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI. Commercial and recreational fishermen are urged to attend and provide input on proposals.
