Wild Rhody offers fresh fish

Jay Conway (right) and daughter Jennifer Conway (left) with the seven pound fluke she caught on the south side of the Newport Bridge while fishing in 75 feet of water. She was using a conventional squid rig tipped with fresh squid, fluke belly and a freshwater minnow.

Ian O’Hara (left, 14 years old) and brother Carlin (right, eleven years old) both from Cranston each caught a 150 pound Mako shark while fishing off Block Island last month.

Wild Rhody offers fresh fish

Who knew? Who knew that someday even the fish you eat would have an ID number… a bar code? Well the fish you buy at a specialty market or eat at a fine dining establishment just may have an ID number if it is part of the fresh fish “Trace and Trust” initiative. This number will tell you when, where and on what boat that fish was caught. There is even a Facebook link you access with your smart phone from your restaurant dining table that tells you a little bit about the fish, how it was caught and the captain and crew that caught the fish.
Rhode Island fresh fish is now available at select restaurants and markets, often times just hours after it was caught. Chris Brown, Steve Arnold and Bob Westcott (all Rhode Island commercial fishermen) started a business called Wild Rhody that delivers fish fresh to restaurants and markets directly from their boats. The fishermen have garnered quite a bit of publicity lately with feature articles in the New York Times, the Providence Journal and a host of others. They also received Rhode Island Monthly magazine’s “Best Local Food Initiative” award for 2011. Their purpose as related on their web site is “… to ensure their customers know exactly who caught their seafood, as well as when, where, and how it got caught. The customers love and trust the seafood - and the stories about the fishermen who provide it to them.”
Wild Rhody communicates with chefs at fine dining establishments (often while they are out fishing) to find out what they have in mind to cook for dinner and then they catch and supply that fish to the restaurant. Conversely, Wild Rhody partners take the initiative and call restaurants letting them know what they are catching so chefs can plan accordingly. What’s the end result? Fishermen get more for their catch as it is sold direct, restaurants get more for their entre too (as the fish is guaranteed fresh), chefs get to cook and serve fish fresher than ever before and most important the customer gets a fresh local fish (guaranteed by its identify code) expertly prepared by their favorite restaurant. Everyone wins.
As an avid recreational fisherman, I find a lot of comfort knowing that I can now get fresh fish when dining out through Trace and Trust. Find out what restaurants and specially markets are working with Rhody Fresh by visiting their web site at www.traceandtrust.com .
RISAA meeting August 29… striped bass fishing with jigs and maritime law
Jigging for striped bass and more will be Capt. Jack Sprengel’s topic Monday, August 29, 7:00 p.m. at the monthly RISAA meeting, West Valley Inn, 4 Blossom Street, West Warwick, RI. John Fulweiler, Esq. will also speak on maritime law for recreational boaters. RISAA members free, $10 donation for non-members. Optional dinner from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at reasonably prices served by the West Valley Inn.
Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council meets with new members
The Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC) met last week with five new members and I am honored to say that I am one of them. The Council consists of eight members, three for the commercial fishing community, three from the recreational fishing and two from the scientific community. Council members were appointed by Governor Lincoln Chaffee and confirmed by the State Senate last month. The purpose of the Council is to advise Janet Coit, director of the Department of Environmental Management (DEM), on regulation as it relates to both commercial and recreational fishing in Rhode Island.
The Council is chaired by Robert Ballou, acting director of DEM’s Marine Fisheries Division. The three council members who have served before are Richard Hittinger (RISAA vice president, who was elected vice chair at the meeting), Richard Bellavance, president of the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association, and Dr. Christopher Anderson form the University of Rhode Island. New council members are Kenneth Booth, president of the Commercial Rod and Reel Fisherman’s Association; Will Mackintosh, III, commercial fisherman; J. Christopher Powell from Roger Williams University; Jeff Gant, president of the Rhode Island Shell Fisherman’s Association; and David Monti, charter boat captain and fishing columnist.
Last week’s meeting primarily served as an orientation meeting for new members and an organizational meeting for the Council. Meeting schedules, agendas and meeting minutes are all a matter of public record and can be found on the DEM Marine Fisheries’ web site at www.dem.ri.gov .
Summer flounder limits likely to increase again next summer
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, which regulates summer flounder, recommended increasing the 2012 harvest by 1.6 million pounds to 35.55 million pounds, at a meeting last week. The proposed harvest for 2012 is a 125 percent increase over the lowest year, the 2008 quota of 15.77 million pounds. The recommendation, still has to be approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service and then Rhode Island will establish its recreational and commercial regulations based on the approved quota.
Where’s the bite
Striped bass fishing remains strong at the North Rip and southwest side of Block Island. Fishing in front of Newport, along coastal shores and in Narragansett Bay for striped bass has been very slow. Richard Beretta reports a slow bite off Newport when fishing with his family Sunday, “We had one bit using eels and that was it.” However, a good amount of bait has been reported off Jamestown, Newport and in the Bay (even the upper Bay) so this is a good sign for the fall bass run. Will have to wait and see.
Fluke fishing was mixed this past week. John Owens on the RISAA blog reports catching twenty shorts and five keepers under the Newport Bridge last Saturday. Jennifer Conway of North Kingstown caught a 25 inch fluke at seven pounds (her first fluke trip) Sunday while fishing with her father Jay Conway on No Fluke Charters. Fluke fishing at the mouth of the Sakonnet River, Elbow Ledge and off Point Judith has been slow this week with mixed results… a lot of shorts. However, fluke fishing activity has picked up a bit along southern coastal shores from Watch Hill to Point Judith. Captain Rich Hittinger reported a good fluke bite with sea bass mixed in off Charlestown last week. Captain Hittinger said, “This is an improvement from what it has been there.” Reports of squid moving back into the area.
Bluefish bite off Block Island is good with fish on the surface this past Sunday at the Southwest Ledge. Blues were on the surface a Sakonnet Point Sunday as well. Not many bluefish reports in Narragansett Bay. Jim Malachowski of Cranston (with his nephew on board) said, “We had a difficult time finding bluefish Sunday in the West Passage in the Hope Island, Jamestown and Quonset Point area”. However, just as with striped bass, the reports of a lot of bait in the Bay and along coastal shores is a good sign for fall blue fishing too. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said his customers were catching bluefish around Halfway Rock and Gould Island trolling with striped bass mixed in.

Fresh RI fish coming your way

Hannah Mellion of Farm Fresh Rhode Island talks about their fresh fish pilot project at the RI Senate Special Task Force on Fisheries chaired by Senator Sosnowski.

Fresh RI fish coming your way

How would you like to buy fresh Rhode Island cod, striped bass or flounder for dinner tonight and know where and when it was caught and a little something about the captain and crew that caught it? This is what the Local Catch Pilot project of Farm Fresh Rhode Island and Local Catch, Inc. is doing. They aim to bring fresh local fish to market at competitive prices.

Hannah Mellion of Farm Fresh Rhode Island said, “We are applying the same model we used to successfully bring fresh RI produce to restaurants, farmer markets and supermarkets and are applying it to fresh fish caught in Rhode Island.” Efforts to bring fresh RI fish to market were outlined last week by Local Catch, Inc. and Farm Fresh RI at the Special RI Senate Task Force on Fisheries chaired by Senator V. Susan Sosnowski (D-South Kingstown and New Shoreham). Larry Mouradjian and Ken Ayers of the Department of Environmental Management also spoke. Ken was responsible for helping to start the “RI Fresh” movement and said his department has set aside $20,000 in grant money to start a RI Seafood Marketing Collaborative whose purpose will be to market fresh Rhode Island fish.

Another speaker a last week’s hearing was Eric Reid from Deep Sea Fish of Rhode Island, a RI seafood wholesaler, who said stable markets are needed to bring fresh RI fish to market, “We can’t have derby fishing.” Relating to the way fisheries are often managed by dictating that they must only fish on a limited number of days taking away their flexibility and ability to bring fish to market in a consistent, reliable manner (see below story on successful fisheries sector management techniques).

Steve Brustein, chef/manager of The Met, a Rhode Island School of Design campus restaurant, is a Farm Fresh Rhode Island customer. He said, “We loved it when Farm Fresh RI organized farmers and offered fresh produce to chefs, now we are very excited about the opportunity to purchase fresh fish.”

Branding Rhode Island fish as fresh, wholesome, nutritious and reasonably priced is something that I think is a great idea. Branding RI fish in this manner will help recreational fishing in RI as well as commercial fishing.

NOAA points to success of “sector” fisheries management
Under a new fisheries management program effective since last May, revenues increased for the Northeast groundfishery during the first nine months of the 2010 fishing year compared to same period in 2009.

Higher average prices for all species accounted for the increased revenues. These are among the findings in an interim report released by NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center. Researchers looked at gross revenues, fishing effort, average vessel performance, distribution of revenues, and employment for the first nine months of the 2007 through 2010 fishing years. Among the new trends are increased revenues and prices. Revenues from all species on all trips by groundfish vessels in the first nine months of 2010 were up about $24 million over the same period in 2009.

New England groundfish management measures which took effect in 2010 include annual catch limits to prevent overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks and two options for controlling fishing effort. Fishermen can either form groups and fish an allotted share of the total allowed catch (like the RI Fluke Sector Pilot mentioned below) or fish individually with a limit on the number of days spent fishing.

Another successful example of “Sector” management is the commercial RI Fluke Sector Pilot which is now in its third year. Since its inception this Pilot Fluke Sector has grown, new members have been added as fishermen saw the benefits of flexibility… being able to fish when other species were not available or when market demand is highest. The sector has proven to be a very effective way to sustain the resource as well with record low discard rates compared to the days a sea method.

Rhode Island recreation saltwater fishing license challenge
Last week I received an e-mail from reader Tom Poirier who said he supported the Rhode Island bill that would “make the fishing license free”, Rhode Island House Bill # 5584 introduced by Rep. Gallison of Bristol. Tom said, “The state of NY just put a two year moratorium on their license… (In RI) we are paying for something (data collection and research) that is not going to happen.”

The Federal Government mandated that all coastal states have a registry (or license program) that supplied contact information on all saltwater anglers for surveys and data collection to obtain more accurate fishery data to manage better. The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) worked with DEM to write the Saltwater Fishing License law we presently have. Funds raised by the license will go into a separate fund that must be used to enhance the fishery. It does not go into the general fund. The Federal Government will use the data collected by the State to study recreational fishing.

Last week Gary Leatherberry, an avid angler and associate at Erickson’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick, said during a NBC Channel 10 interview that he supported the existing State license law, saw the need for data collection to better manage and had faith that the funds collected would be properly used. This is a view shared by many anglers including RISAA, an organization that represents over 6,000 recreational anglers in Rhode Island. The State of RI is in tough fiscal condition. Funds to implement a state registry with no fee would likely make the situation worse.

Where’s the bite
Striped bass fishing continues to improve. Rich Di Giuseppe of North Kingstown caught a nice keeper bass (very clean fish) in Greenwich Bay on No Fluke Charters Friday night. John Wunner of John’s Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown reports keeper bass being caught by customers at Mt. View in North Kingstown and in Greenwich Bay. Craig Castro of Erickson’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick, said school bass are being caught in Apponaug and Greenwich coves. Bob Oberg fished the East Bay Friday night from his kayak, at sundown on an outgoing tide, he said “Caught four fish in about twenty minutes, including a 29-incher and a 27-incher… using tube and worm with a light rod.”
The squid are in and are being taken at Goat Island and Ft. Wetherill said John Wunner of John’s Bait & Tackle. Charlie Santos of Tiverton said, “The squid fishers are shoulder to shoulder at the Calamari Causeway (Goat Island) Newport…(they are also likely) at Fort Getty in Jamestown, Sakonnet Point in Little Compton, Pt. Judith docks, on the Cape in Falmouth and the Woods Hole town docks.”

Fluke. Bruce an associate at Breachway Bait & Tackle in Charlestown said customers have been catching small fluke with some keepers off southern coastal beaches. Similar reports from Francis Fleet vessels.
Tautog bite remains good in the bay with hot action taking place in the upper bay. John Wunner said, “Bullocks Point, Rocky Point, Conimicut Light and other East Bay areas are producing good sized tautog.”

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 .

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).