Let's brand our fish... ocean state fresh

Senator Susan Sosnowski aboard the fishing vessel Darana R assesses the catch for scientific data collection purposes. Senator Sosnowski is the chair of the newly formed Rhode Island Senate task force on fisheries. The task force aims to ensure high-quality local seafood products are available for all Rhode Islanders.

There is nothing like a fresh Rhode Island lobster at a summer picnic, or fresh littlenecks, claims casino or stuffed quahogs. Pasta with fresh Rhode Island mussels or some wonderfully tender fluke (summer flounder) fillets are great too. And then there’s grilled striped bass, tuna steak and baked cod (scrod), a Rhode Island staple. All of this comes from waters off Rhode Island from Rhode Island fishermen… recreational anglers as well as the commercial and charter fishing industries. These fish are treasures not found off the coast of other states so why not brand our fish… brand them with a reputation as being fresh, wholesome and affordable. Why, because our fish are fresh, wholesome and affordable.

If we enhance awareness about our fish it will create a demand for more Ocean State fresh fish that will cultivate a strong and stable fishery. A stable fishery will have a strong economic impact on our state… on commercial fishing, recreational fishing, tourism and much, much more.

This vision of branding our fish as Ocean State fresh is something I believe we should hang on to. If we lose the vision we will never achieve it. I hope this is where we are headed with our new State Senate Fisheries Task force established to track the status and trends of the recreational, charter and commercial fishing industries in Rhode Island. A task force announcement related that “Commercial and recreational fishing in Rhode Island are important industries that support not only the vessels and fishermen on the water but also fish markets, ship repair shops, ice houses, marinas, restaurants, grocery stores, and dozens of other shore-side businesses.” Fisheries management is a very complex issue. The more I learn, the more I realize I need to learn more. We first need a stable fishery before we try to enhance its image. I hope we do not lose this vision of marketing our fish to ourselves and to others as we continue to work our way through the best way to manage our fishery… something we have been working on for many years.

Task Force Chairwoman Senator Susan Sosnowski said, "This Task Force will work cooperatively with management agencies, educational institutions, environmental organizations, businesses and fishermen to meet the challenges ahead and recommend viable ideas and solutions for protecting the fishing way of life. As a long-time supporter of the commercial and recreational fishing industries, I will continue to work together with my Senate colleagues to ensure high-quality local seafood products are available for all Rhode Islanders' tables."

Senator Sosnowski has gotten off to a good start. She held her first task force meeting on Monday, December 6. Commercial, charter fishing and recreational fishing leaders in Rhode Island attended and testified at the committee meeting. Most of those testifying at the meeting seem to be advocating for an enhanced fishery with state help to market local fish, much like the state helps to market locally grown farm products. Many testifying also seemed to want tougher laws and punishment for those that violate fishing laws. One common complaint was for better research on fish populations as the research is used to manage fisheries in Rhode Island. So if we have little research and data our ability to manage our fishery is hampered.

Steve Medeiros, president of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) said when he testified he, “stressed the economic value of recreational fishing ($160 million)… stressed vigilance in maintaining public access and how a little more access is lost every year... how we should not abandon the plan of a pier at Plum Point… and should plan to build one at Rocky Point, … and mentioned artificial reefs and how it could enhance recreational and character fishing, lobster fishing, scuba diving and tourism overall.”.

Rich Bellavance, president of the Rhode Island Party and Charter Boat Association said, “I am very excited to participate in the Senate Task Force on Fisheries. I think the Task Force will be a great tool to pass along useful and accurate information to the General Assembly, and I am delighted that Senator Pavia-Weed created the group. Senator Sosnowski is a great choice to Chair the Task Force, she has always taken an active role in fisheries issues and is well versed in fisheries management. With a new administration taking office and some very challenging times facing the fishing community ahead, I think the Task Force will prove valuable as we work towards solutions to these challenges.”

In a December 8, 2010 Providence Journal article Chris Brown, president of the Rhode Island Commercial Fisheries Association, said the New England ground fish industry has declined from 1,200 vessels to about 477 in 30 years. But with all the cutbacks in fishing effort, he now expects big increases in fish stocks and catches. He called on the committee to make sure no port areas are converted to condominiums or hotels, because the state is going to need more space to serve the fishing industry as it’s reborn.

The Senate Task Force on Fisheries heard testimony from the executive director of the Department of Environmental Management as well as the Rhode Island Lobsterman’s Association, the Rhode Island Shell fishing Association. Senator Sosnowski and senators on the task force continue to meet with the fishing community to identify key issues and trends. Public comment will be accepted at a time to be announced.

I hope this committee is the start of a State of Rhode Island initiative to not only help identify fishing trends, but an effort that helps market locally harvested fish with the vision to brand our fish as Ocean State fresh. The effort would have a snowball effect that would enhance tourism and our economy in Rhode Island.

Most task force committee persons represent towns that border the Rhode Island coast and they are the senators you should express your point of view to as the committee does its work. Joining Chairwoman Sosnowski on the Task Force are: Senate Minority Leader Dennis L. Algiere (R – Dist. 38, Charlestown, Westerly), Senator David E. Bates (R – Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol), Senator Louis P. DiPalma (D – Dist. 12, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton), Senator Walter S. Felag, Jr. (D – Dist. 10, Bristol, Tiverton, Warren), Senator Michael J. McCaffrey (D – Dist. 29, Warwick), Senator James C. Sheehan (D – Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown) and Senator William A. Walaska (D – Dist. 30, Warwick).