Limited Number of New Commercial Fishing Licenses Available for
2013
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| Don't let Leo Mainelli see you! |
PROVIDENCE
(RIDEM news release) - The Department of Environmental Management announces
that a limited number of new commercial fishing licenses will be made available
this year.
A total
of 23 new quahog, 11 new soft-shell clam, and six new restricted finfish
endorsements on commercial fishing licenses will be available for the 2013
fishing season.
Applications
for the new endorsements must be filed with DEM by February 28, 2013. The
applications will be screened, and the new endorsements awarded, on the basis
of the priority selection process set forth in the commercial licensing
regulations.
Rhode
Island residents may also obtain, without limits or restrictions, new
commercial fishing licenses with the following endorsements: shellfish other,
non-restricted finfish, and non-lobster crustacean.
Also,
any resident aged 65 or older may obtain a 65 & Over Shellfish license, and
any resident who is a full-time student and under the age of 23 as of February
28th of the license year may obtain a Student Shellfish license
(both of which allow for the commercial harvest of quahogs).
Any
non-resident may also obtain a new commercial license with a non-restricted
finfish endorsement. Applications for all new licenses must be filed with DEM
by February 28, 2013. Interested applicants are encouraged to review all guidance
documents and applications located at www.dem.ri.gov under the "Hunting,
Fishing, Boating Licenses" link on the main page.
Fishers
are reminded that the marine license year runs from January 1, 2013 through
December 31, 2013. The renewal period runs from January 1 through February 28
for multi- purpose license holders, principal effort license holders,
commercial fishing license holders, shellfish over-65 license holders, and
student shellfish license holders.
A late
fee renewal period for certain license holders – shellfish over-65,
multipurpose, principal effort license, commercial fishing license, and student
shellfish license – runs from March 1 through April 29 and includes a $200 late
fee in addition to the cost of the license. Renewals are not available after
April 29.
Licenses
may be renewed online through April 29 via DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Hunting,
Boating and Fishing Licenses" from the homepage. License holders are reminded
that prior to license renewal, all logbooks must be up to date with DEM's
Marine Fisheries Program located at 3 Fort Wetherill Road in Jamestown. For
questions concerning the log books, call the Marine Fisheries office at
401-423-1926. DEM's Boat Registration and Licensing Office will not accept log
books.
In
December, DEM's Office of Boat Registration & Licensing mailed
approximately 4,500 marine license renewal applications to all commercial marine
license holders as well as those applicants holding recreational pot/diver
licenses, vessel declarations, and marine dealer licenses. Questions regarding
licenses or endorsements may be directed to the licensing office at
401-222-6647.
Rhode
Island's fisheries are important for their ecological value and the food,
recreation, and other social and cultural benefits they provide. Our fisheries
provide thousands of jobs and income and support an important economic sector.
In 2011, Point Judith ranked 4th largest port in New England based on landings
(behind New Bedford, Gloucester, and Portland) and 3rd largest based on value
(behind New Bedford and Gloucester).
The
total value of sales of commercially-caught marine species landed in RI in 2010
was over $200 million. An estimated additional half a billion dollars was
associated with imports. Total employment connected to harvesting, processing,
distributing, and selling fish landed by RI home ported vessels with the
commercial fishing industry is approximately 7,000 jobs.
