Windmills and fresh fish top task force agenda

Senator V. Susan Sosnowski’s Special Senate Task Force on Fisheries has taken on two big issues this winter on behalf of fishermen…wind power and bringing their catch to market…fresh. Both issues are on the front burner; here is how the Task Force is addressing them.

Windmills

At the first meeting of the Fisheries Task Force on December 6, 2010, a number of witnesses (fishermen) raised concerns about the potential impacts the development of offshore wind projects could have on the fishing industry and fish resources. This testimony has resulted in a resolution that is being discussed and possibly voted on this week by the Rhode Island Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee which is also chaired by Senator Sosnowski. The resolution respectfully requests the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) to comprehensively involve Fishermen in the development of offshore energy projects.

Earlier this week Senator Sosnowski said, “The resolution regards the concerns of some of the fishermen… who voiced their concerns about the proposed larger, offshore Deep Water Wind project.” The resolution reads, “That the Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation respectfully requests that BPEMRE use the Fishermen’s Advisory Board (FAB) established by the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council within the Ocean Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) as an interface between BOEMRE and the fishing industry.”

Captain Rick Belavance, president of the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association, said, “A void existed between the new federal BOEMRE bureau, the State’s Ocean SAMP and fishermen. We had input into planning through the SAMP process but the Deepwater Wind project double in size over night and was located in prime fishing grounds without input from fishermen”. Chris Brown, a Rhode Island commercial fisherman and past present of the Commercial Fisheries Center of RI, said, “Fishermen were left out of the loop with no input to where this wind project was sited.” The resolution asks the Rhode Coastal Resource Management Council within the Ocean SAMP program to be a conduit that brings fishermen’s concerns to BOEMRE. The resolution can be found at http://www.rilin.state.ri.us//BillText11/SenateText11/S0137.pdf . Will report on the outcome of the resolution next week.

Fresh fish

The Special Senate Task Force on Fisheries has had two meetings on bringing locally caught fresh fish to market in Rhode Island. The first was held on February 9 and a second on March 2 to hear testimony on how to bring fish caught by Rhode Island fishermen to market here in the state. The idea is to provide Rhode Islanders with better access to fresh, wholesome and nutritious native caught Rhode Island fish and to provide fishermen with better access (and possibly more direct access) to Rhode Island markets so they can earn more for their catch with fewer middlemen involved.

On February 9 the Task Force heard testimony from a variety of State agencies, companies engaged in fishing, processing of fish and/or the marketing of fish and Farm Fresh Rhode Island. Highlights of the meeting included the following.

Mark Gibson from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management testified about the condition of our fishery in Rhode Island. Species by species he thumb nailed the current status and/or relative health of commercially harvested fish… fluke (or summer flounder), monk fish, cod, striped bass, scup and most others seem to be in good health. Scup was singled out as a species that is very “abundant” and a species we could plan to harvest aggressively if a commercial market existed. Lobster fishing in Rhode Island was the only fishery that was down to a very low historical level. The lobster industry was characterized as a fishery in trouble.

Another enlightening presentation was delivered by Noah Fulmer, executive director of Farm Fresh Rhode Island. One may ask what do farm vegetables have to do with bringing fish to market. Well a great deal, here’s why. Mr. Fulmer shared the innovative programs and delivery models his groups had developed to get fresh produce to market making them highly accessible to the public as well as restaurants and large catering concerns servicing colleges and school systems, government enities, hospitals, etc. Mr. Fulmer related how these “Farm Fresh” delivery systems could be adopted to bring fresh fish to the market in Rhode Island. These systems include an interactive on line data base that provides consumers (by zip code) information as to where they can purchase farm fresh vegetables in their area. Another example is a service offered to chefs that delivers local produce to their door weekly. You can learn more at www.farmfreshri.org

Senator Sosnowski said, “We had Kevin Adams from Alaska talk about a proposed regional marketing approach, and other enthusiastic presenters.” This week the committee will hear testimony from Perry Raso of Matunuck Oyster Farm as well as public testimony on how local seafood products are marketed and distributed as well as ways to bring fish to market in Rhode Island. How to educate consumers about the benefits of eating local seafood to increase demand will also be discussed. Highlights of this second marketing committee meeting, which took place Wednesday night will be covered next week.

Salt water fish limits and size recommended by DEM Advisory Panels

Advisory panels of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council made their 2011 saltwater fishing regulation recommendations this Tuesday, February 15 at a public meeting. Recommendations will now be finalized by DEM and the Council for formal recommendation to the Director of DEM. Due to a healthy fluke (summer flounder) fishery the recommendation approved by the Director will likely be more liberal than last year. The proposal that garnered most support at the public hearing was proposed the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association which was seven fish/day/angler with a minim size of 18 ½” (last year’s limit was 19 ½”). An interesting twist this year was that for shore anglers only, one of the seven fish could be 16 ½ “ . Striped bass recommendation was status quo… two fish/angler/day with a minimum size of 28”. Will relate highlights of the new regulations once they are approved by the Director which is expected to occur this month.

DEM to hold public workshops freshwater fishing & park regulations

The Fish and Wildlife Division will hold public workshops in Providence and Tiverton to discuss the proposed 2012-2013 freshwater fishing seasons and the 2011-2012 hunting seasons. Proposed changes to Parks and Management Area Regulations will also be heard. Public workshops will be held on Tuesday, March 29 at DEM headquarters in the Foundry Building at 235 Promenade Street in Providence, and on Wednesday, March 30 at the Tiverton Rod and Gun Club, 1529 Fish Road in Tiverton. Both workshops will take place at 7 p.m.

A public hearing on the proposed regulations will be held on Wednesday, June 1 at 7 p.m. in the Warwick Police Department's Community Room at 99 Veteran's Memorial Drive in Warwick. Copies of the draft regulations will be available at the public workshops.

Fishing shows and seminars

March 11-13, New England Saltwater Fishing Show at the Rhode Island Convention Center sponsored by the RISAA. Visit www.risaa.org/events for details.

March 22, West Bay Anglers striped bass seminar by Charley Soars on fishing for bass with live bait, Sherman Elementary School, Warwick, RI. Reserve tickets ($10) at 401.463.7532.

March 25-27, Shallow Water Striper University, Sheraton Airport Motor Inn, Warwick, RI. Contact Debbie Wood at Wood Boat & Motor, 401-739-4040 or visit www.shallowwaterstripers.com .