California Sea Grant Research Informs New Law to Permit Fishermen’s Markets

This article was written by Deborah Seiler of the California Sea Grant illustrates how California  has improved their fish markets.  California just adopted a bill dubbed the “Pacific to Plate” that would allow “fishermen’s markets to operate as food facilities, vendors to clean their fish for direct sale, and multiple fishermen to organize a market under a single permit.”  A survey in 2013 demonstrated that there is a widespread demand for local seafood. In August when the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market opened its doors it drew more than 1300 customers in five hours.

To read more about the “Pacific to Plate” bill click here.

Conditional Shellfish Areas in Upper Narragansett Bay to re-open three and one-half days early as a result of acceptable post-storm monitoring data

Shared on behalf of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

According to RI DEM Conditional Area’s A and B and the Conimicut Triangle in Upper Narragansett Bay.  The areas were closed on August 4th as a result of “rainfall and a bypass that occurred at the Narragansett Bay Commission’s (NBC) Bucklin Point Wastewater Treatment Facility.”  The area was re-opened on Saturday, August 8th at sunrise, Greenwich Bay, Mt. Hope Bay and Kickemuit River will re-open at noon on August 11, 2015.

Go to RI DEM to view the press release or go the the RI DEM Shellfish page shows where shellfishing is allowed in Narragansett Bay.

Conditional Shellfish areas in upper Narragansett Bay to re-open three days early as a result of acceptable post-storm monitoring data

Shared on behalf of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM).

“Conditional Area A & Conimicut Triangle Will Reopen at Sunrise on Friday, June 26.”

Conditional Area A & Conimicut Triangle by opening on Friday, June 26th will open 3 days earlier than scheduled.  This is due in part to the plan put in place between the DEM and the US Food and Drug Administration, DEM may open up shellfish areas after a storm once “post-storm monitoring data demonstrates it is safe to do so.”

Click here to access the full news release by the RI DEM.

 

 

Surveying aquaculture’s state

Shared on behalf of Providence Business News.

The article by the Providence Business News takes a look at the study that URI Marine Affairs Professor Tracy M. Dalton is conducting on public perception of aquaculture.  By sending out surveys Professor Dalton is trying to “determine aquaculture farming’s “social carrying capacity.””

To learn more about Professor Dalton’s work and read the full article click here.

Dig into Summer with Clamming Classes

You know it’s summer when clamming classes are back. The RI Shellfish Management Plan (SMP)  is sponsoring the state Department of Environmental Management’s 2015 Clamming Series. The first session of the summer is Wednesday, June 17, from noon to 3 p.m. at North Kingstown Town Beach.

Many Rhode Island residents may not be aware that they are allowed to harvest shellfish recreationally in designated areas without a license. DEM is offering folks a chance to learn how to dig for clams, providing the necessary equipment to do so and sharing the management strategies that have kept Rhode Island in the quahogging industry for so long. Commercial quahogger Jody King will introduce participants to the ins and outs of recreational clamming. Space is limited, and registration is required.

To register or learn more contact Kimberly Sullivan: kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov or  401-539-0019.

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