Aquaculture in Rhode Island: FREE Public Education Opportunities

Join the Coastal Resources Center & Rhode Island Sea Grant in a three-part public education experience on aquaculture in the Ocean State. Come and learn – from soup to nuts –what aquaculture is, looks like, and the policy and science. Join us for a detailed description of the history and science behind the 5% Rule for aquaculture in the salt ponds, learning from those who were there to shape the original policy. Share your ideas, concerns, and emerging opportunities you see in aquaculture throughout the events and these will be compiled and discussed in detail at a public forum in the summer. Events are stand-alone, so it is not required to attend all. All webinars will be made available online for those who wish to review and build individual understanding and fluency with aquaculture. All events are free and open to the public.

Please rsvp to Azure@crc.uri.edu for all below events


 

WEBINAR: Monday, October 24, 2016 from 5:30-6:30PM

“Aquaculture 101 for the Public” – Participate in this free, interactive Webinar, from your computer at home! Learn everything about aquaculture in Rhode Island – How many farms and acreage are in the state, a brief history and aquaculture’s beginnings, details about an aquaculture business and what it looks like on the farm, the different gear used, sound farm practices, ecological considerations, fun facts about shellfish, the policy around leases, the management process, the different agencies and groups involved, health and safety, and more. Learn also about some of the key science experiments underway in RI on aquaculture and hear future science needs and predications.


 

WEBINAR: Wednesday, November 30, 2016 from 4:00-5:00PM

“Understanding the 5% Rule for the Coastal Salt Ponds” – Participate in this free, interactive Webinar, from your computer at home! Learn from those who were involved in shaping the 5% Rule for aquaculture in Rhode Island’s coastal salt ponds. The rule states that no more than 5 percent of the salt pond area can be used for aquaculture. Hear the details about the science, policy, and decision-making that was involved to set the rule – Ask questions of those who were involved to gain a clear understanding of why the rule exists. The intention is to allow an open forum of knowledge and experience sharing so as to be better informed about what the rule is and is not.


 

PUBLIC MEETING: June, 2017 (TBD)

“Addressing Concerns & Opportunities for Aquaculture in RI: A Public Conversation” – Join us at the URI/GSO Narragansett Bay Campus to discuss any and all issues/concerns as well as existing and emerging opportunities around aquaculture in RI. Building from the October and November webinars, compiling your questions and concerns, we will identify the major issues as well as opportunities related to aquaculture and how best to approach these in the short & long term from a policy, community engagement, and science perspective. Policy-makers, researchers, and industry will be present to help inform and shape a knowledge-based discussion with an engaged public. All webinars will be archived and available online for those who wish to review content before the public meeting. All are welcome to attend and help shape a productive & informed conversation. Light refreshments will be served.

 

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South County Oyster Festival

On May 1st, 2016 from 12PM to 6PM the South County Oyster Festival will take place at the Towers in Narragansett (35 Ocean Road Narragansett) sponsored by the Matunuck Oyster Bar.  There will be food, live music, adult beverages and a shucking contest.

Tickets are $20 before April 29 or $25 at the door.

For more information and to purchase tickets click here.

Perspectives of Life – past and present – on Point Judith Pond

Rhode Island author, Prentice Stout, will present perspectives of life – past and present – on Point Judith Pond. Join him on Wednesday, March 9th at the Kettle Pond Visitors Center in Charlestown, from 5:30PM-7:00PM. Refreshments will be served – Please rsvp to Azure@crc.uri.edu or 401-874-6197.

Prentice has devoted his entire career to teaching, filming and writing about nature. His travels have taken him and wife, Patty, from Antarctica to the Galapagos. However, his real love of place has always been Point Judith Pond, a spot he calls “A Place of Quiet Waters” which also serves as the title for his 2006 book. Prentice has served as an enthusiastic educator at Camp Fuller and greatly enjoys seeing young adults learn and thrive as they come to deeply understand the pond’s many assets and ecosystem.

Part of Rhode Island’s Coastal Salt Ponds and You: A Public Education Series.

Summer 2015 stakeholder meeting recap

The meeting was recorded and is available for viewing at LiveStream:
http://livestream.com/accounts/4896157/events/4154327

Presentations and meeting info is available on the SMP website at: http://www.rismp.org/calendar/past-meetings-and-events/

A special thanks to the following individuals:

Perry Raso, owner of Matunuck Oyster Bar who donated oysters & clams for our shucking demonstration. Can we say “Yum!?”

Bob Rheault from the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association for teaching us how to shuck safely and for offering important tips for keeping shellfish cold and safe for consumption. I hope you have all been buying local shellfish and practicing at home!

Matt Griffin from Roger Williams University, Center for Economic & Environmental Development for presenting valuable and interesting science on shellfish restoration efforts in the state.

Maria Vasta, recent graduate of the URI Marine Affairs Program, for sharing her thesis work investigating agritourism potential for shellfish aquaculture through a nation-wide survey of growers.

 

Shellfish Management Plan (SMP) Stakeholder Meeting

Come join us for the 2015 SMP stakeholder meeting

 Please join us for a Shellfish Management Plan (SMP) Stakeholder Meeting
Thursday, June 25th, 2015, 5:00-7:00pm
Corless Auditorium, URI Bay Campus (map attached)

Want to learn how to safely shuck a clam and oyster?

Interested in growing oysters at your dock?

Wondering how you can go clamming with an expert this summer?

All this info and more at our next SMP stakeholder meeting!

Come hear progress since the launch of the SMP in November, including work on implementing the SMP recommendations, more shellfish research money available for 2016, clamming classes hosted by DEM, what you need to know/do to keep your shellfish safe for consumption, and a feature presentation on the ins and outs of shellfish restoration in Rhode Island. As a special treat, learn from a long-time quahogger how to properly shuck shellfish – Live demo and tasting included! We will also hear a URI students thesis results

Fruit, cookies, and beverages will be provided. Please rsvp to smp@etal.uri.edu. Feel free to call Azure at (401)874-6197 if you have any questions/concerns.

 

 

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