Law targeting fishermen approved by Cranston City Council

 Matt Wechbacker caught this 69 pound striped bass at Block Island with an eel when fishing with Capt. Corey Smith and Kurt Rivard Friday, July 21.

 Rich Heffernan, Tom Wood and Larry Audino fished the East Grounds off Block Island for summer flounder and black sea bass Saturday on No Fluke Charters.

 Newport black sea bass bite was good for Joe Roth of Boca Raton, FL who fished the bridge area with success Wednesday. He and wife Linda were fishing with cousin Kevin Fetzer of East Greenwich.

Anthony Gauthier of Washington, DC with a thick summer flounder caught off Ft. Adams, Newport.  Anthony and Katie Conway (formerly of North Kingstown) married in Newport last week.

Law targeting fishermen approved by Cranston Council

In one of the first laws of its kind in the State of Rhode Island, the Cranston City Council approved a ‘No Fishing’ ordinance at the end of Ocean Avenue, Cranston at their July 24, 2017 meeting. The primary advocate for the ordinance was the Rhode Island Yacht Club, whose parking lot is adjacent to the public access fishing area.

Councilman John Lanni said that the ordinance was illegal and he was not voting for it. Lanni said, “Citizens are granted the right to access and fishing in our Rhode Island constitution.  This ‘No Fishing” ordinance would open the city up for expensive law suits.  This is the first time to my knowledge that any city in the state was trying to deny citizens the ability to fish at a public access.”

Michael Farina, council president, said, “I will not be intimidated by the treat of a law suit.  Out attorney says it is not illegal to do this so we are moving forward with it.”

Councilman Steven Stycos was the only other councilperson opposed to the ‘No Fishing’ ordinance and said, “Fishing is not the problem.  We need to enforce the laws we have and propose others such as restricted parking on Ocean Road.  However, the Yacht Club has said they want the parking spaces on the street for events they hold.”

In a letter dated July 21, 2017 to Council president Michael Farina from Larry Mouradjian, associate director of the Department of Environmental Management (DEM), Mouradjian said, “The City of Cranston does not have the legal authority to ban fishing from the area which has been designated for public access.  Based on the Rhode Island Constitution and Rhode General Laws Section 20-1-2, the authority to regulate fish and wildlife has been delegated to DEM.”  The letter concluded, “Municipalities have been granted no authority to regulate fishing and the City’s attempt to ban fishing adversely impacts the constitutional rights of Rhode Islanders.”

Legal Counsel for the city testified (at president Farina’s urging) that they checked with involved state agencies such as the Costal Resource Management Authority and there was nothing wrong with the City ban on fishing at the access point as long as anglers could go down to the beach to fish.  Neither legal counsel nor Council president Farina mentioned the DEM letter at the Council meeting.

Michael Jarbeau, Narragansett Barkeeper for Save The Bay testified that the ‘No Fishing’ ordinance was unconstitutional and that Save the Bay was opposed to the ordinance.  In a letter to the Council Save The Bay said, “We are sensitive to neighborhood concerns, and the concerns of others who enjoy this public access site, regarding trash, congestion, and private property infringement. However, a fishing ban does nothing to address these concerns directly. Instead, this ordinance takes the unprecedented step of banning an activity so cherished by the state that it is explicitly protected in the Rhode Island Constitution.”

Richard Hittinger, 1^st vice president of The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association, testified and said, “Fishing access is a right granted by our State constitution.  The ‘No Fishing” ordinance is designed to deny and discourage fisherman, it specially targets fishing.  The real problem is trash, parking and congestion.  It’s not right to target fishing and fishermen.  We are opposed to the ‘No Fishing’ ordinance.”

Barbara Rubine, president of the Edgewood Waterfront Preservation Association testified that, “Our board objects to the trash and congestion at the end of Ocean Avenue and strongly believes the City needs to enforce ordinances already in place, we are opposed to banning fishing at the Ocean Avenue access point as we believe all should be able to enjoy the coastline.”

Before the council voted on the ordinance an amendment made by Councilman Michael Favicchio was approved.  The spirit of the amendment was to ban fishing on the road but allow it on the beach.  The amendment further made it unclear as to where the ‘No Fishing’ line was drawn i.e. at the edge of the road where there is a guardrail, up to the beginning of the sea wall, etc. Councilman Stycos urged clarification in the amendment, but it passed without further alternation.

Save The Bay, the Edgewood Preservation Association and the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association all plan to urge Mayor Fung to veto the ‘No Fishing’ law.  The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association has also offered to help the City of Cranston and residents in the area with fishermen outreach.  In the past the Association has helped the State and cities with access area signage, the posting of fishing regulations, provided fishing line disposal dispensers and fishermen communication.

Free clamming workshops

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced it is hosting a series of free recreational clamming workshops this summer. The workshops, led by a local shellfisherman, review the history and value of shellfishing in Rhode Island and provide an opportunity for participants to dig for their own clams.

People of all ages are encouraged to participate. Space is limited and registration is required. To register, contact Kimberly Sullivan at Kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov. All equipment and materials will be provided.

A workshop was held in Bristol earlier this week, the remaining schedule includes workshops on:  Friday, August 11^th, 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at North Kingstown Town Beach, North Kingstown; Tuesday, August 22, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 9, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Rocky Point State Park, Warwick.

Clamming (known locally as quahogging) has a rich history in Rhode Island, as a significant contributor to the state’s commercial fishing industry as well as a great family recreational fishery. More than 28 million quahogs were harvested from Narragansett Bay and local coastal waters last year.

Come Clam With Me workshops are sponsored by DEM’s Aquatic Resource Education (ARE) program. ARE provides a host of recreational fishing opportunities for the public – as well as marine science programming for educators.  For more information on ARE programs and events, visit www.dem.ri.gov/are.

Party boat fishing

Every wonder how to select a party fishing boat to go out on and just wish you knew which one was good and best for you.  You can learn how to select a party boat this Monday, July 31^st, 7:00 p.m. at the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association’s (RISAA) Party Boat Seminar at the West Warwick Elks Lodge. 

Dianne Valerien will be quest speaker.  Dianne has fished for 40 years and worked on party boats for the past 20 years fishing for cod, black sea bass, summer flounder, scup tautog and striped bass.   Valerien said, “Fishing on a party boat is a great way to get out fishing on a boat.  It’s affordable and you can go it alone or fish with family and friends.”

Learn what to look for when choosing a party boat, differences in boat operations as well as fishing gear and techniques to employ when fishing on a party board.

Non-members are requested to make a $10 donation to the RISAA Scholarship Fund, members attend free. The Elks Lodge is at 60 Clyde Street, West Warwick.  Dinner between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. sold separately.  

Striped bass panel says lead “yo-yo” rigs OK

45 years fishing for stripers: Capt. Al Anderson’s latest book, Island Stripers, is the result of countless hours of charter fishing at Block Island.  

Open access to the Pawcatuck:  Thanks to DEM’s purchase of four acres along the Pawcatuck River, Westerly, RI those fishing, canoeing and kayaking now will have better access to the River.

Striped bass panel says lead “yo-yo” rigs OK

Last week, the Striped Bass Advisory Panel of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council voted not to recommend a ban on a certain type of “yo-yo” fishing rigs. Lead “yo-yo” rigs are used by some commercial and recreational rod and reel fisherman.  The number of anglers using them is not known, however, commercial rod and reel fishermen at the meeting and on the panel said they use them.

The practice of yo-yoing involves inserting a lead weight into a dead baitfish such as an Atlantic Menhaden and the use of a rod (wood or metal skewer like a coat hanger or a wire) in the fish to maintain its shape and control it like a puppet when sent to the bottom or to various depths in the water column.  The bait is then moved up and down (like a yo-yo) to mimic a bait fish in distress to attract striped bass to the bait.  The bait is effective in attracting large stipend bass for those that have mastered the technique.  It is practical because you do not need a live well to keep bait live, you can catch and prepare them ahead of time and it is far less expensive for commercial rod and reel fishermen than buying live eels, another popular way to catch large bass. Some commercial striped bass rod and reel fishermen who fish often to catch their quota of fish in season have found it a practical and effective way to fish.

The Panel heard testimony from commercial fishermen on the panel that the lead found in the bellies of striped bass is not harmful to the fish because they catch fish that have lead in their bellies and they are alive.  Others said that there are many other commercial and recreational fishing techniques used that contribute greater to the mortality of striped bass and that they were being singled out.  Techniques such as up-fishing by commercial draggers (the practice of continuing to catch bass until you catch the largest fish possible discarding smaller striped bass that to not survive after release) and recreational anglers that put too much stress on fish by fighting them for a long time and once released they do not survive. 

The issue before the Panel referenced a proposal from Massachusetts that advocated for a ban on just certain types of yo-yo rigs.  The Rhode Island proposal was to allow yo-yo rigs as long as the lead weights were attached to the terminal tackle (so the weights could be pulled out of the bait fish and retrieved).  This proposal was rejected by the Striped Bass Advisory Panel with members relating that “no scientific evidence”, “no studies” exist that proves lead ingested by striped bass is harmful to the fish. 

Although a lot of research with lead and waterfowl has been conducted, little research has been done with lead and fish.   For example, a study done on more than 2,000 bald eagles examined by The Fish and Wildlife Service from 1963 to 1986 showed that 119 were diagnosed as having died of lead poisoning (studies like this one lead to the banning of lead shot for waterfowl hunting in 1991). The Department of Natural Resources of the State of Michigan relates on their “lead” website page, “Lead poisoning has been recognized as a mortality factor in waterfowl since the late 1800's.  Lead poisoning cases today are either the result of ingestion of bullet fragments, spent lead shot or fishing sinkers and jig heads during normal feeding activities. When the lead reaches the acidic environment of the gizzard (loons, ducks, geese and swans) or the ventriculus (eagles), it is worn down, dissolved, and absorbed into body tissues. Once the lead reaches toxic levels in the tissues, muscle paralysis and associated complications result in death.”

Striped bass presentation 

Capt. Al Anderson has produced a new presentation about his latest book and tag & release efforts and is reaching out to fishing clubs and organizations interested in having him as a quest speaker. Capt. Anderson is the South County charter captain that was inducted into the IGFA’s World Fishing Hall of Fame in 2012 for his conservation ethic and noted authoring in the fishing world.  His latest book, Island Stripers, is the result of countless hours of charter fishing at Block Island.  Contact Capt. Anderson at ahatuna@aol.com or 401.783.8487.

20^th Annual Providence Boat Show this weekend

The 20^th Annual Providence Boat Show is being held this Friday, January 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday, January 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; and Sunday, January 20 form 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Rhode Island Conventions Center. Show organizers expect a great show.  Tickets $10 at the door.  Visit www.providcenceboatshow.com for a list of exhibitors, online tickets, etc.

DEM preserves property along the Pawcatuck River

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has acquired four acres of land in Westerly that will enable the creation of an excellent fishing and boating access site on the Pawcatuck River. 

“The Pawcatuck is very popular for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and other forms of outdoor recreation. But currently, no safe public access exists between Bradford and Westerly on the Pawcatuck - a beautiful stretch of river that supports Rhode Island-raised stocked trout and warm water fish species,” said DEM Director Janet Coit.  “Thanks to this acquisition, DEM will be able to make this spectacular site and several miles of the river readily accessible to the public.”

Located on Post Office Lane, the property includes over 500 feet of river frontage.  In conjunction with DEM’s purchase of the land, the state obtained an easement across the right of way from Potter Hill Road which will be used by the public to access the riverfront.

Three Advisory Panels to meet January 30… attend and provide input

DEM is having a series of three RIMFC advisory panel meetings that impact recreational fishing on January 30th.  The status of fisheries, policies and regulations that work their way into DEM species management plans are discussed at the meetings. So, now is the time to let your voice be heard by attending advisory panel meetings. Visit www.dem.ri.gov  (Marine Fisheries page) for agendas.   The three panels include a tautog meeting at 4:30 p.m., a summer flounder advisory panel meeting at 6:00 p.m. and a black sea bass and scup panel meeting at 7:30 p.m.  This new format, offering multiple advisory panel meetings on the same night, hopes to enhance angler attendance at the panel meetings.  All meetings will be held at the URI Bay Campus, Coastal Institute Building in the Hazard Room on South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI.