Advocating for fisheries in Washington, DC

Kattie Lightbody with a 34" striped bass caught with an umbrella rig when fishing with her uncle, Greg Spier.

Capt. Dave Monti with a big Newport summer flounder (fluke).

Advocating for NOAA:  Capt. Dave Monti; George Baldwin, Past President, Connecticut Surfcasters; Gretchen Spiers, Vice President, Cape Cod Salties; and Scott Travers, Executive Director of the RI Saltwater Anglers Association.

Advocating for fisheries in Washington, DC 

Last month, I had the chance to advocate for full funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Washington, DC.

I was with Gretchen Spiers, Vice President of the Cape Cod Salties; Scott Travers, Executive Director of the RI Saltwater Anglers Association; George Baldwin, Past President of the Connecticut Surfcasters Association; and seven other charter captains and anglers.

NOAA is under attack to reduce its staff and budget by about a third. We were in Washington to share with congressional offices how these drastic cuts would impact recreational fishing and the economies of our states.

“We spoke with House and Senate staff about supporting NOAA’s Office of Habitat Conservation and Restoration, the National Estuary Research Reserves, and the inter-jurisdictional fisheries grants. Since Massachusetts has the largest commercial and recreational fishing economy in New England, and is the third largest producer of seafood in the country (behind Alaska and Washington State), these cuts will disproportionately impact Massachusetts,” said Grechen Spiers of the Cape Cod Salties.

Rhode Island has benefited greatly by these programs including our National Sea Grant Programs at URI Graduate School of Oceanography and Roger Willimas University, Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, and many of the programs run by the Narraganset Bay Estuary Program.  Most of these programs would simply go away.

In Massachusetts NOAA funding supports the Waquoit Bay Estuary Research Reserve in Falmouth and Mashpee, grants assessing the impact of wastewater discharge from the Pilgrim Nuclear Plant into Cape Cod Bay, grants for offsetting losses due to the decline in Atlantic herring stocks, and many other local initiatives,” said Gretchen Spiers.  “NOAA dollars also fund ongoing science-based research projects at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, such as those for the National Sea Grant Program and the Ocean Acidification Program,”

With budget cuts data-based stock assessments and fisheries cannot effectively be managed. The loss of funding for the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) – direct mail and interview intercept surveys - will significantly harm the ability of NOAA to manage fisheries.

Spiers said, “A reduction in new and more accurate data collection efforts may lead to moratoriums and seasonal closures based on even more uncertain data, or possibly worse, increased deregulation.”

Our congressional delegation relies on anglers to keep them informed about what they are experiencing on the water, what the issues are and how these NOAA cuts will impact our industry. So please take the time to email them your concerns about NOAA cuts.

Top three tips to catch bigger fluke

The summer flounder (fluke) bite is on.  Anglers are hooking up with keeper fluke off Newport, in lower Narragansett Bay, Mt. Hope Baye, along our coastal shore and around Block Island. 

My three top tips

First you need to plan, plan, and plan your fluke trips.  The idea is to select six to eight places you will fish based on wind and tide being in line.  This is important as you want to drag your bait over the front of the fluke as they set up looking into the current.  I then go to the first place I hope to catch fish based on catching experience and recent fishing intelligence and then go the second, third, fourth places, etc. until we catch fish.

Second, larger fish usually come on edges of structure.  This includes inclines and declines around channel banks and ledges, the foot of jetties where it meets sand, between ledges, drifting over humps and bumps, fishing bridge abutment areas where bait gets tossed, etc.

Third, be ready to fish multiple rigs and baits.  This means being ready to use multiple-colored rigs, jig types and stingers.  And, be ready to tip them with a variety of baits including squid, gulp or the ground fish you have starting to catch and strip up i.e. sea robins, scup, bluefish, etc.  The idea is to try a number of rig and bait arrangements until you discover what the fish want on any given day.

Fluke regulations in Massachusetts include a minimum size of 17.5” from a vessel and 16.5” from shore with a five fish/person/day limit. In Rhode Island the fluke regulation is a 19” minimum size, six fish/person/day with special shore areas where anglers are allowed two 17” fish.   

Where’s the bite?

Striped bass/bluefish.  East End Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author, said, “Action on the Canal has slowed down. Notwithstanding the gloom experienced by most, Mike Dick, a talented Bourne lure maker, enticed a couple of slots to hit his Happy as a Clam white Mini Canal Cruiser for some top water action on an early east tide at first light, and a couple of days before, caught a 39-inch bluefish.”  “The spring run of striped bass has been very good with high numbers of fish being caught in the Providence and Taunton Rivers as well as in Narragansett and Mt. Hope Bays,” said Jeff Sullivan of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren.  “The herring are still coming out of the Rivers and there are Atlantic menhaden too so depending on where you are anglers are using 9” Doc’s to smaller 4” lures.  We also saw some bonito at the Newport Bridge this week.” Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box, Warwick, said, “This weekend we had large bass in Warwick and East Greenwich Coves with worm hatches occurring.  The bass were everywhere with an occasional bluefish mixed in.” Angler Greg Spier, said, “My niece Kattie Lightbody of Foxborough caught a 34" striped bass using an umbrella rig in the Brenton Reef area off Newport.”

Black sea bass, summer flounder (fluke), squeteague and scup. “We caught keeper fluke at Prudence Island this week, you had to work for them but they were there,” said Jeff Sullivan of Lucky Bait.  Anglers are working to catch keeper black sea bass.  “Scup are not abundant in the upper Bay but the bite is consistent off Newport and at the Sakonnet with a good fluke bite there as well as at Block Island,” said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle.  “Large scup are being caught in the Bay with anglers landing squeteague and fluke at Warwick Light,” said Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box. Angler Matt Haczynski reports on the RI Saltwater Anglers blog, “Sunday the bite was insane off Newport.  The fluke tossed up squid all over the boat when they came on board. We had our limit before noon each day.” 

Freshwater.  “The largemouth bite continues to be excellent with frogs working well as the ponds I am fishing have a lot of vegetation and pads already,” said Jeff Sullivan of Lucky Bait. Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box, said, “Freshwater fishing is on fire with customers catching a 4.9 and a 5.1 pound largemouth using shiners. Both Little and Gorton Ponds in Warwick are hot.”

 

Bluefin tuna regulations change for the better

Capt. Dave Monti with bluefin tuna.  As of July 1, 2025 private vessels with an HMS Angling permit will be allowed to take one fish between 27” to < 73”.

Big catch: Greg Vespe of Tiverton with a striped bass he caught Saturday night fishing with
live eels off Newport in the Bay.

Good eating:  Marc Carvalho with a squeteague he caught off Warwick Light, he and Sherri Kanelos planned to bake and eat their catch whole.

Bluefin tuna regulations change for the better         

Bluefin tuna regulations changed for the better this week when NOAA announced Thursday new angling and charter/headboat Highly Migratory Species (HMS) limits.  Effect July 1, 2025 private vessels with an HMS Angling permit can retain one bluefin tuna measuring 27” to < 73” and charter/headboat permit holders are allowed two bluefin tuna measuring 27” to < 73”. 

This is good news as most bluefin caught in this area are over 47”, and the present regulation is for fish measuring 27” to < 47”.

In general, quotas close to being met necessitated more conservative regulations this year.  In January tuna fishing in North Carolina was not allowed to close due to an Administration rule making executive order.  The freeze allowed overfishing which in part has meant reduced quotas for New York and New England fishermen as the fish migrate north.

It is important to note that for the past three years, anglers have caught an abundance of bluefin tuna close to shore in Southern New England.  Many believe robust bait/forage profiles are here close to shore in great abundance due to warming water.  And the fish are here because the forage fish they eat are here. 

This climate change impact points to the need for enhanced stock assessments and climate research to keep tabs on fish stocks like tuna and other species particularly sensitive to overfishing due to stock shifts and enhanced fishing pressure.

Capt. Mike Pierdinock, avid bluefin tuna fisher, member of the New England Fishery Management Council and President of the Stellwagen Bank Charter Boat Association, said, “We have a unique situation this year.  Due to the closure delay in North Carolina the general category overfished their 37.7 mt quota.  By the time they closed the fishery on February 28 they had harvested 115 mt of bluefin tuna.  That’s a lot when you consider the entire fishery is 1,300 mt.  This combined with overfishing bluefin tuna in general in 2024, including the recreational fishing community for the first time since 2010, we are experiencing these reductions out of caution to prevent overfishing this year.”

Hats off to Rick Bellavance, President of the RI Party & Charter Boat Association and Chair of the New England Fishery Management Council as well as Mike Pierdinock for advocating for a larger bluefin size.

For information and updates visit the NMFS Permit Shop.

 

Catch and release best practices for striped bass

Striped bass fishing is good, so good for this time of year that we have to make sure we use catch and release best practices to help ensure the survival of the fish we release.  More striped bass die after capture and release than those legal-size fish we take home to eat.

Fishing at the Cape Cod Canal has been very good too with anglers catching fish to 41”. East End Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author, said, “On Wednesday “Bill on the Grill” Prodouz landed a 40-inch linesider that fell for a herring Mystic glider and then a 41-inch powerhouse with a Yo-Zuri bone hydro twitch bait.”

On my charter boat Tuesday the fish were on the bottom. Jason Mills of Cranston caught a 39” striped bass on a tube & worm on the channel pad at Poppasquash Point, Bristol when fishing with Richard Hellwig of Providence.  And, Steve Brustein of Warwick caught a 34” fish in the same place earlier in the week.  There were no signs of fish on the surface but they were there in the lower water column and on the bottom.   

The striped bass stock is overfished, with overfishing occurring, so we all need to be ready to safely catch and release these fish giving them the best chance of survival.

Striped bass regulations are one fish/person/day in a slot size of 28” to less than 31”.

Catch and release tips

Gaffs are not allowed and inline circle hooks must be used when fishing with bait for striped bass, tube and worm fishing is an exception.

Bring the fish to the boat quickly, extended fights deplete oxygen and reduce survival.

Avoid putting fish on deck and letting it flop around, keep it in the water as much as possible.

Wet your hands or gloves before handling the fish, dry hands remove the fish’s protective slime layer and leave it open to infection.

Handle fish carefully.  Do not put fingers into gill cavities or eye sockets.

Gently remove the hook to minimize damage.

Use lures with single hook, barbless hooks (I snap them off), or circle hooks.

Return fish to water quickly. Place gently in water in upright horizontal position.  Move it back and forth in the water to force water across its gills.  Once revived it will flip its tail when ready to be released.

 

Where’s the bite?

Striped bass/bluefish.  Tom Olson of Ponaug Marina, Warwick, said, “The striped bass and bluefish bite has been good for anglers they are catching fish trolling with tube & worm, umbrellas rigs or using live bait.”  Ed Lombardo fly fishing expert and guide, said, “Fishing slowed on Narrow River, Narragansett Tuesday. I fished and moved many times to the more productive spots up, down, and across the river until 12 noon.  Fished again at 1:00 p.m., now an incoming tide, and caught two small bass and one hickory shad.” Striper fishing in the East Passage of Narragansett Bay has been good.  Last week anglers on my charter boat hooked up with bass to 40” with reports of a 52” fish being caught by RISAA member Dave Sweet’s son at Anawan Cliffs, Narragansett. Lay off the big fish if you have other options as more striped bass are killed after being release than those we take home to eat (see above article on bass catch and release practices).   Sherri Kanelos of Warwick boated her largest fish ever Sunday, a 24” bluefish off Bear Point Prudence Island.

Black sea bass, summer flounder (fluke), squeteague and scup.  Summer flounder fishing has been good in the lower Narragansett Bay with anglers catching keepers.  Tom Olson of Ponaug Bait & Tackle said, “We had two commercial rod & reel customers catch monster fluke in the East Passage around the Jamestown bridge, one fish they boated was over 30 inches.”  This weekend we caught multiple scup, fluke and squeteague in the Warwick Neck area.  Marc Carvalho of Warwick caught a 20” squeteague.  Most of the fluke were under 19 inches.

                                                                                                                                       

Freshwater.  The fresh water bite for largemouth, pike and trout remains very strong.  For ponds restocked with trout visit Freshwater Fishing | Mass.gov and in Rhode Island Fish & Wildlife | Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

South Fork Wind creating "reef effect"

Fishing Machine Charters, Pt. Judith, RI hooked up with cod, pollock and cunner in the Cox Ledge area wind farm this winter.

Fish abundance and a large variety of fish can be seen at pylons, on scour protection and at cable mattresses.

Blue mussels dominate monopile surfaces in shallow water; here at a water depth of less than 2 m (6.6 ft), blue mussels lived among invertebrate turf and tufts of red algae.

South Fork Wind creating “reef effect”

The South Fork Wind Benthic Monitoring Program released a visual survey earlier this month conducted at South Fork Wind (SFW), an offshore wind farm located 16.5 nautical miles southeast of Block Island, Rhode Island in the Cox Ledge area.  The survey shows that the wind farm has had minimal environmental impact on the surrounding marine ecosystem and has created a positive “reef effect.”

Similar “reef effects” have been documented by peer reviewed studies at European wind farms and during a seven-year study at the Block Island Wind Farm, which showed there was a greater amount of Atlantic cod and black sea bass in the wind farm area compared to two control areas outside the wind farm, and all other species abundance was even.

Simply put, so far at 18 months out, South Fork Wind is yielding new habitat and fish.

James Riggs, a recreational fishing representative on the Fisheries Advisory Board (FAB) of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), said, “The enhanced ecology that I clearly see will only compound with time and become more and more prolific. It gives me hope that we can see a real benefit from what is already structurally out there, and will be for a long time. There may be opportunities to enhance or improve on existing and or proposed marine infrastructure projects.”

Key findings of the study include no detectable changes to the biological communities on the seafloor surrounding the turbines; marine life is using the wind turbine foundations as habitat; and the project is already creating a reef effect, providing habitat for commercially, recreationally, and ecologically important marine species.

South Fork Wind’s comprehensive benthic (seafloor) monitoring program includes target visual studies at pre-construction, construction and post- construction time periods, which is something that fishermen advocated for.  Comprehensive monitoring, like this study, is a requirement and aims to protect valuable marine resources and habitat.

To meet this requirement, independent science teams have conducted extensive visual monitoring surveys of the wind farm pylons, scour protection at the base of pylons, and cabling and bolder relocation areas. 

Pictures speak louder than words

The good news is that SFW benthic surveys have not detected demonstrable change in the biological community or benthic functions associated with pylons, cable routes or bolder relocation.  Striking video and still images taken before, during and after construction show extensive blue mussel growth and fish at pylons and in the surrounding area.  See videos and still images at South Fork Wind Benthic Monitoring Program.

“I was very surprised with the mussel growth on pylons that has occurred so quickly.  The video footage clearly showed the creation of life on the pylons and at the base of the pylons on the scour protection,” said Fred Mattera, executive director of the Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island, which represents nine commercial fishing-related organizations in Rhode Island.

Mattera said, “These structures are creating new habitat and life. The amount and variety of fish captured on video footage is incredible.”

This past summer and winter there were numerous fishing reports from charter captains and anglers catching tuna, cod and an abundance of mahi-mahi at South Fork Wind.

“Simply put, my position is neither for or against offshore wind development, but if there is a way to improve marine habitat and strive for the goal of fish abundance I am all for it.  I will do my best to advocate for recreational fishermen's interests whenever I can,” said James Riggs of the FAB.

The South Fork Wind benthic visual surveys document the reef effect and reveal numerous commercially, recreationally and ecologically important species. Black sea bass, lobster, and flounder were documented near the structures.  Other species observed included Atlantic cod, scup, cunner, barrel fish, flounder, butterfish, jack, mahi mahi, trigger fish, Bermuda chub, winter and summer flounder, sculpin, spotted and red hake, ocean pout and the Atlantic rock/Jonah crabs.

Other studies being conducted as part of the South Fork research and monitoring plan include gillnet and fish pot surveys, a ventless trap survey, a beam trawl survey, mechanical jigging study, and acoustic telemetry studies.   Visit South Fork Wind Farm Fisheries Monitoring — CFRF and an article on the Marine Fish Conservation Network blog for details on the South Fork Wind research and monitoring plan.

Where’s the bite?

Striped bass/bluefish.  “Striper fishing is spotty.  The are scattered.  Narragansett Bay’s East Passage is still a good bet,” said Nick Krajewski of Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown. Ryan Collins of My Fishing Cape Cod, said, “For boat anglers there's been some awfully large striped bass caught in Cape Cod Bay and Buzzard's Bay.” East End Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author, said, “Last week began with the west end producing on the early west tide without breaks during daylight. Jay Saucier, vacationing from Old Town, Maine, hooked a high-end slot with a bone-colored Savage during an early dropping tide. Carlos Reis from Falmouth, enticed a 40-inch beast with his green Striper Gear Shaddy Daddy that brought the Boga down to 25 pounds! High hook went to Sandwich’s Joe “Green Gloves” Moneghan bouncing a green mac jig off the bottom to deceive two 47s and a 48-inch monster!”  Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle, Charlestown, said, “Striped bass fishing remains productive, with a good variety of sizes being caught. Bluefish are still present, and there have been reports of some good-sized ones.”  “Last week I caught a 32” and three smaller bass at Narrow River, Narragansett on an incoming tide.  Used my burgundy color fly that caught some hickory shad as well,” said Ed Lombardo, fly fishing expert and instructor.

Tautog season closes May 31. Anglers have filed fewer reports as the spring season comes to an end.

Black sea bass, summer flounder (fluke) and scup.  Last week I caught small keeper fluke north of the Jamestown Bridge on American Ledge.  Angler Matthew Haczynski reports fishing Block Island Monday, “After a lot of slow fishing all of a sudden we loaded the cooler ending with all anglers on the boat limiting out.  The tides nearest to slack produced best.”  Nick Krajewski of Quaker Lane, said, “Anglers are catching keeper scup and black sea bass now.”                                                                                                                                     

Freshwater. Some ponds restocked with trout for Memorial Day. For information in RI visit Fish & Wildlife | Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and in Massachusetts visit Freshwater Fishing | Mass.gov.

Atlantic bluefin tuna retention limits adjusted

 

Jason Mills of Cranston with the 39” striped bass he caught Tuesday off Poppasquash Point, Bristol.

Learn how to tie Hex Hatch flies and about the mayfly hatch on the Wood River, Hexagenia Limbata.

Atlantic bluefin tuna retention limits adjusted

NOAA Fisheries is adjusting the Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limits for recreational fishermen. The adjusted limits took effect June 3, 2025 and extend through December 31, 2025, unless modified by later action.

NOAA Fisheries may need to take other action(s) later in the year, if appropriate, to further adjust the retention limits or close the fishery.

The adjusted limits for private vessels with a HMS angling category permit is one school fish 27” to less than 47”.  For charter boats with a HMS Charter/Headboat permit fishing recreationally two school fish 27” to less than 47” are allowed.  In both cases no large school/small medium fish 47” to less than 73” are allowed and no giants over 73” are allowed at this time.

This January tuna fishing in North Carolina was not allowed to close due to an Administration rule making executive order.  The freeze allowed overfishing which has meant reduced quotas for New York and New England fishermen as the fish migrate north.

For information and updates visit the NMFS Permit Shop.

 

Catch and release best practices for striped bass

Striped bass fishing is good, so good for this time of year that we have to make sure we use catch and release best practices to help ensure the survival of the fish we release.  More striped bass die after capture and release than those legal-size fish we take home to eat.

“Striped bass fishing has been great, right here in Narragansett Bay.  I am usually fishing out in front by this time but there has been no need.  Earlier this week fish were breaking on the surface all around Ohio Ledge (in the East Passage off Warren),” said expert angler Dave Gordon.

Fishing at the Cape Cod Canal has been very good too with anglers catching fish to 41”. East End Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author, said, “On Wednesday “Bill on the Grill” Prodouz landed a 40-inch linesider that fell for a herring Mystic glider and then a 41-inch powerhouse with a Yo-Zuri bone hydro twitch bait.”

On my charter boat Tuesday the fish were on the bottom. Jason Mills of Cranston caught a 39” striped bass on a tube & worm on the channel pad at Poppasquash Point, Bristol when fishing with Richard Hellwig of Providence.  And, Steve Brustein of Warwick caught a 34” fish in the same place earlier in the week.  There were no signs of fish on the surface but they were there in the lower water column and on the bottom.   

The striped bass stock is overfished, with overfishing occurring, so we all need to be ready to safely catch and release these fish giving them the best chance of survival.

Striped bass regulations are one fish/person/day in a slot size of 28” to less than 31”.

Catch and release tips

Gaffs are not allowed and inline circle hooks must be used when fishing with bait for striped bass, tube and worm fishing is an exception.

Bring the fish to the boat quickly, extended fights deplete oxygen and reduce survival.

Avoid putting fish on deck and letting it flop around, keep it in the water as much as possible.

Wet your hands or gloves before handling the fish, dry hands remove the fish’s protective slime layer and leave it open to infection.

Handle fish carefully.  Do not put fingers into gill cavities or eye sockets.

Gently remove the hook to minimize damage.

Use lures with single hook, barbless hooks (I snap them off), or circle hooks.

Return fish to water quickly. Place gently in water in upright horizontal position.  Move it back and forth in the water to force water across its gills.  Once revived it will flip its tail when ready to be released.

 

Introduction to the ‘Hex Hatch’

The RI Department of Environmental Management Division of Fish & Wildlife Aquatic Resource Education program will hold their introduction to the ‘Hex Hatch’ program Thursday, June 12, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the DFW Outdoor Office, 1B Camp E-Hun-Tee Place, Exeter, RI.

Join Ed Lombardo, expert fly guide and instructor, and volunteer experts from United Fly Tyers, Rhody Fly Rodders, and Trout Unlimited to learn about the largest mayfly hatch on the Wood River, Hexagenia Limbata.

The three-hour workshop begins with a presentation about the mayfly and its habits, when it emerges to spawn, what gear to use to mimic the hatch, and how to catch a trout during the hatch.   All fly-tying equipment and materials are provided.

Space is limited and registration is required. Cost is $10 per person. For more information and to register, email kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov.

 

Where’s the bite?

Striped bass/bluefish.  “Striped bass and the bluefish bite has been good in the Godard Park Greenwich Bay area with anglers catching fish using topwater lures and soft plastics,” said Vincent Cataldi of Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown.  East End Eddie Doherty said fishing on the Cape Cod Canal was active with Tim “Hollywood” Petracca catching fish up to 35 inches with stick shads.” Tom Olson of Ponaug Marina, Warwick, said, “The striped bass and bluefish bite has been good for anglers they are catching fish trolling with tube & worm, umbrellas rigs or using live bait.”  “Anglers are using flutter spoons (designed to float down into the water column), umbrella rigs and using bait, maceral and Atlantic menhaden, to fish the lower column with success,” said Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box, Warwick.  Ed Lombardo fly fishing expert and guide, said, “Fishing slowed on Narrow River, Narragansett Tuesday. I fished and moved many times to the more productive spots up, down, and across the river until 12 noon.  Fished again at 1:00 p.m., now an incoming tide, and caught two small bass and one hickory shad.”

Black sea bass, summer flounder (fluke), squeteague and scup.  Last week I caught small keeper fluke north of the Jamestown Bridge on American Ledge.  Vincent Cataldi of Quaker Lane Bait & Tackel, said, “Anglers are loading up on big fluke around Block Island.  Fishing the coastal shore and in the Bay has been fairly slow for keeper fluke. Anglers are hooking up with scup and keeper black sea bass.  I saw an angler land a keeper black sea bass from a dock in Jamestown.” Tom Olson of Ponaug Bait & Tackle, Warwick, said, “Warwick Neck and Greenwich Bay are yielding a fair amount of squeteague.”

                                                                                                                                       

Freshwater. “Fishing has exploded with anglers hooking up with largemouth, pike and some monster sized trout,” said Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box.  For ponds restocked with trout visit Freshwater Fishing | Mass.gov and in Rhode Island Fish & Wildlife | Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.