New Commercial Fishing License Opportunities

Limited Number of New Commercial Fishing License Opportunities Available for 2015

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that it is accepting applications for new and renewed commercial fishing licenses for 2015 through next Monday, March 2. The application period has been extended from the February 28th deadline set forth in commercial fishing regulations because that date falls on a Saturday.

A limited number of new commercial fishing licenses will be made available this year. A total of 21 new quahog and 12 new soft-shell clam endorsements will be issued on the CFL license to residents, and three new restricted finfish endorsements will be issued on the PEL license for the 2015 fishing season. 

The new quahog endorsements are for residents only and will allow for the commercial harvest of quahogs, and the new soft-shell clam endorsements are for residents only and will allow for the commercial harvest of soft-shell clams. 

The new restricted finfish endorsements are for residents and non-residents, and will allow for the commercial harvest of any of the five species of restricted finfish: summer flounder, scup, striped bass, black sea bass, and tautog. 

Applications for the new endorsements must be filed in person at DEM's Office of Boat Registration and Licensing at 235 Promenade Street in Providence by 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 2, or postmarked by March 2. 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 March 2, 2015. 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, 2015 through December 31, 2015. The renewal period runs from January 1 through March 2, 2015 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 3 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 & Licensing Office will not accept log books.

In December, DEM’s Office of Boat Registration & Licensing mailed approximately 4,300 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 2013, Point Judith ranked 4th largest port in New England based on landings (behind New Bedford, Portland and Gloucester) and 3rd largest based on value (behind New Bedford and Stonington). According to data from the Standard Atlantic Fisheries Information System, the amount paid to fishermen by dealers and dockside sales of commercially-caught marine species landed in RI in 2013 totaled almost $82 million.