DEM
Offers Free Summer Clamming Workshops
The
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is hosting a series
of free recreational clamming workshops this summer.
The
workshops, led by DEM's Aquatic Resource Education (ARE) program, are
opportunities for participants to learn how to dig for clams and the management
strategies that have kept Rhode Island in the clamming industry for so long.
The
following public workshops are scheduled:
Saturday,
June 16 | 3 PM – 6 PM Colt State Park, Bristol
Thursday,
July 12| 12 PM – 3 PM Rocky Point State Park, Warwick
Friday,
August 10| 11 AM – 2 PM Colt State Park, Bristol
Tuesday,
August 14 |3 PM – 6 PM North Kingstown Town Beach, North Kingstown
Monday,
August 27 | 1 PM – 4 PM Rocky Point State Park, Warwick
Saturday,
September 8 | 11 AM – 2 PM Rocky Point State Park, Warwick
The
workshops are perfect for families to spend time together. DEM encourages
people of all ages 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. DEM's ARE program sponsors the Come
Clam With Me workshops and a host of recreational fishing opportunities for the
public as well as marine science programming for educators.
"DEM's clamming workshops are some of our most popular offerings to the public and once again we will be holding them in the East Bay, West Bay, and South County to make them as accessible as we can," said DEM Director Janet Coit.
"Historically
and culturally important, a staple of local food traditions, clamming brings
families and friends together. That's first and foremost. These workshops also
remind us, however, that Rhode Island's monumental, decades-long efforts to
clean Narragansett Bay are paying off."
More
than 22 million quahogs with an off-the-boat value of $5 million were harvested
from Narragansett Bay and local coastal waters 2017.
In
recognition of the economic and cultural value of shellfish, Governor Gina M.
Raimondo, along with many partners, launched the Rhode Island Shellfish
Initiative in 2017.
Through
it, state agencies, industry, academia, and community partners collaborate and
compound their efforts to sustainably manage local shellfish stock, promote
economic growth and jobs, and celebrate Rhode Island's unique food cultures.
For
more information on ARE programs and events, visit www.dem.ri.gov/ are. Follow
DEM on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM)
for timely updates.
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