2014 Aquaculture Annual Report
Shared on behalf of Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC)
To view the 2014 Aquaculture Annual Report, please click here.
Category: Miscellaneous
DEM Announces Emergency Closure of Mount Hope Bay and Kickemuit River
Shared on behalf of the RI Department of Environmental Management
News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 www.dem.ri.gov
For Release: February 25, 2015
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
DEM ANNOUNCES EMERGENCY CLOSURE OF MOUNT HOPE BAY AND KICKEMUIT RIVER TO SHELLFISHING BEGINNING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 DUE TO FAILURE OF DISINFECTION SYSTEM AT FALL RIVER PLANT
PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management announces that conditionally-approved areas of Mount Hope Bay and the Kickemuit River will be closed to shellfishing beginning at sunrise on Thursday, February 26. DEM enacted the emergency closure because an estimated 600,000 gallons of non-disinfected effluent was discharged todayfrom the Fall River Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility between 8:50 a.m. and 9:50 a.m. Officials from the Massachusetts facility notified DEM’s Office of Water Resources this morning of the disinfection system failure.
Specifically, the closure will affect the following waters: All waters of the Kickemuit River and Mt. Hope Bay south of a line from the range marker at the eastern extension of Patterson Avenue in the Laurel Park section of Warren to the flagpole on the opposite eastern shore on the property of #61 Asylum Road in Touisset, and north and west of a line from Bristol Point to the Buoy “R4” channel marker located on the southerly side of the Mount Hope Bay channel, that intersects with a line from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management range marker located approximately midway on Touisset Point to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management range marker located on Common Fence Point in Portsmouth.
DEM plans to reopen the conditionally approved areas of Mount Hope Bay and the Kickemuit River to shellfishing at sunrise on Thursday, March 5, weather permitting.
DEM maintains a 24-hour shellfishing hotline with recorded updated information on shellfish closure areas. That number is 222-2900.
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To read the full press release, please click here.
Memorandum of Agreement between the RIDEM and CRMC
Please find attached the newly signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) “Concerning the inspection of aquaculture farms for the purpose of ensuring food safety, public health, and enforcement of RIDEM’s Aquaculture of Marine Species in Rhode Island Waters.”
Over the last few years, the aquaculture industry, as well as CRMC and DEM, have recognized the need for a memo of understanding between both agencies concerning aquaculture activities. While CRMC generally conducts and oversees inspection of aquaculture operations in the state, the formal authority has been with DEM to perform these inspections. Both agencies and industry acknowledged that CRMC has been the recognized, capable, and practicing inspection authority and with urgings and support from DEM Division of Agriculture, the MOA was signed in October 2014, giving CRMC designated status on behalf of DEM to perform lease inspections in Rhode Island.
This MOA signifies a willingness and ability to achieve cross-agency collaboration, agency responsiveness to the needs of the industry, and overall an improved and more efficient way of doing business. Congratulations to all involved.
SMP Team
A special thank to RI Shellfish Management Plan publication contributors.
On behalf of the SMP Team, we’d like to thank you for a successful and fun Final Event Celebration!
On Nov.17th, many gathered at the URI Bay Campus to celebrate the newly-released R.I. Shellfish Management Plan (affectionately called the SMP), a hallmark effort to improve management and science around shellfish in the state. With over 100 people in attendance, including Governor Lincoln Chafee, Senator Sosnowski, and dignitaries from our state agencies and universities, as well as the valuable presence of industry groups and citizens alike, it was an event to remember. The event was intended to be celebratory, to appreciate the monumental efforts of many individuals and groups who shaped the plan and its management and science recommendations. Good vibes and words were shared by all.
But one thing was missing from the festivities: A proper thank you to a few individuals who really were the glue behind the SMP. Unfortunately, in an attempt to keep comments brief and allow plenty of time to mingle and share kind words, we did not properly acknowledge these few individuals – As a backdrop, it is important to emphasize that behind the scenes, almost weekly for the last two years, have been five people who have helped sort through what we hear, what issues arise, what needs surface, and what actions should be taken. These individuals were Dale Leavitt (RWU), Jeff Mercer (DEM), Dave Beutel (CRMC), Monique LaFrance (GSO) and Jen McCann (CRC/RI SG). What some may not realize, which I want to impress upon you all now, is that without these folks, the SMP and all its early successes would not have happened.
It was Dale’s knowledge, experience and ability to see opportunity in any concern or issue that helped bring this SMP to life, infusing science and real-world application which lent validity, perspective, and integrity to the process and outcomes. Jeff has offered intense time and efforts on the SMP, showing industry that DEM has been listening and translating tough policies and decisions.—Jeff’s ability to work across multiple sectors of the shellfish community has brought tangible benefits to management and science.—Dave’s thoroughness in assuring a sound aquaculture management process in this state in conjunction with his belief and willingness to reach over agency lines to collaborate on important topics, has proven fruitful; Dave has been a steady island in a sea of positive changes for aquaculture, keeping people on firm ground during tough processes.—Monique’s integral efforts throughout the SMP on work such as the use maps and critical writing, has helped ensure the outcomes make sense and are tractable. And it is through Jen’s support and sound leadership that the SMP process remained true to its principles and vision of openness and broad stakeholder involvement.
And a special thank you to those in the industry – wild harvest and aquaculture – who continue to donate their time and experience to not only the SMP process, but to management overall, lending real-world knowledge and creative thinking to make this a truly democratic process.
At the event, a few individuals were recognized and received awards for giving 110% to the SMP process. Congratulations to: Mike McGiveney, Robert Rheault, Jody King, Katie Eagan, Art Ganz, Jim Arnoux, and the Rhode Island Shellfishermen’s Association for their exceptional service and contribution to shellfish.
And shout outs to all the many who made this Plan possible – THANK YOU!
Without all these folks meeting and giving their hearts and souls these last two years, we would simply be where we started in 2013: Wanting reform but with no road to get there. So thank you SMP Team – Your energy and skills are invaluable to this state!
Please visit http://www.rismp.org/the-plan/ to view the RI Shellfish Management Plan, Version II, and associated appendices. Please remember this is a living document and we encourage your feedback and comments. In 2015, CRC/RI Sea Grant will work with DEM and CRMC to develop an Implementation Plan, a Research Agenda, and activate on some of the recommendations in the SMP. We will also review and add new information to the SMP as it becomes available and will keep you updated through this listserv. Press and the SMP video will soon be posted on the website, so check back often.
Other information on the website:
If you would like to receive a copy of Rhode Island’s Shellfish Heritage: An Ecological History, available in 2015, please send an email to: smp@etal.uri.edu
Keep up the excellent work and dedication everyone – We look forward to working with you in 2015!
Public Forum: How Fisheries Are Adapting To Changes in Narragansett Bay
Public Forum: How Fisheries Are Adapting To Changes in Narragansett Bay
Rhode Island Public Radio’s Environmental Reporter, Ambar Espinoza will host a public forum and conversation on the changing fisheries in Narragansett Bay.
The water in Narragansett Bay is becoming warmer. Resident fish are moving away while migrant fish are moving in. How are commercial fisher men and women adapting to these changes? How are these changes challenging the way we manage our fisheries? What does this changing catch mean for the types of seafood we will find in restaurants and at market countertops?
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2014
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: The Rhode Island Foundation, 1 Union Station, Providence RI
Guests:
Captain Denny Ingram – Commercial Lobster Fisherman
Jeremy Collie – Professor of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island
Mark Gibson – Deputy Chief for Marine Fisheries, RI Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Environmental Management (DEM)
Bob Rheault – Executive Director for the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, Oceanographer and Shell Fisherman
Perry Raso – owner of the Matunuck Oyster Bar and Coastal Pond Farmer
Topics of discussion: What was it like fishing in the bay in previous decades compared to today? How are commercial fisher men and women adapting in order to stay in business and what challenges are they facing in making those adaptations? What is the state doing to manage the changing fisheries? Who eats the fish that are caught in Rhode Island?
Because the forum will be broadcast live, attendees will be required to be seated no later than 6:55. The event is free, but seating is limited. To reserve a seat, please contact Karen Knisely: 401-351-2800, kknisely@ripr.org