Limited
time, limited number
The
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is accepting
applications for new and renewed commercial fishing licenses through Thursday,
February 28. A limited number of new commercial fishing licenses for the harvest of shellfish are available this year for Rhode Island residents.
Any resident aged 65 or older as of June 30, 2019 may obtain a 65 & Over Shellfish License, and any resident who is a full-time student and under the age of 23 as of June 30, 2019 may obtain a Student Shellfish License; both licenses allow for the commercial harvest of quahogs.
New
endorsement opportunities for Rhode Island residents are as follows: * 33 new
quahog endorsements will be issued on the Commercial Fishing License (CFL) that
allow for the commercial harvest of quahogs * six new soft shell clam
endorsements will be issued on the CFL that allow for the commercial harvest of
soft shell clams
In
addition, 15 new restricted finfish endorsements, available to both residents
and non-residents, will be issued this year on the Principal Effort License
(PEL). The restricted finfish endorsement allows 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 with DEM by February 28, 2019. The applications will be reviewed, and the new endorsements awarded, according to the priority selection process set forth in the Commercial and Recreational Saltwater Fishing Licensing Regulations.
Rhode
Island residents may also obtain, without limits or restrictions, new CFLs with
the following endorsements: shellfish other, non-restricted finfish, and
non-lobster crustacean. 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, 2019. Interested applicants are encouraged to review all guidance documents and applications posted on dem.ri.gov.
Applications for all new licenses must be filed with DEM by February 28, 2019. Interested applicants are encouraged to review all guidance documents and applications posted on dem.ri.gov.
Last
year, DEM launched an education and certification program that is mandatory for
everyone who commercially harvests and lands shellfish in RI. The goal of the
program is to ensure that shellfish harvesters deliver a safe product to
shellfish dealers and, in turn, to shellfish consumers.
In accordance with US FDA requirements, and regulations adopted by DEM, holders of all applicable commercial licenses and landing permits must obtain certification by completing a 30-minute online tutorial prior to license issuance.
The certification requirement applies to both license/permit renewals and new licenses/permits; all certificates are valid for five years, after which re-certification will be required.
In accordance with US FDA requirements, and regulations adopted by DEM, holders of all applicable commercial licenses and landing permits must obtain certification by completing a 30-minute online tutorial prior to license issuance.
The certification requirement applies to both license/permit renewals and new licenses/permits; all certificates are valid for five years, after which re-certification will be required.
Commercial
fishers are reminded that the marine license year runs from January 1, 2019
through December 31, 2019. The renewal period runs from January 1 through
February 28, 2019 for Multi-Purpose License holders, PEL holders, CFL holders
and Shellfish Over-65 License holders.
Student Shellfish License holders may renew or obtain a new license through June 30, 3019. A late fee renewal period for certain license holders – Shellfish Over-65, Multi-Purpose, PEL and CFL holders – runs from March 1 through April 29, 2019 and includes a $200 late fee in addition to the cost of the license. Renewals are not available after April 29, 2019.
Student Shellfish License holders may renew or obtain a new license through June 30, 3019. A late fee renewal period for certain license holders – Shellfish Over-65, Multi-Purpose, PEL and CFL holders – runs from March 1 through April 29, 2019 and includes a $200 late fee in addition to the cost of the license. Renewals are not available after April 29, 2019.
Commercial
licenses may be renewed online through April 29 via DEM's website. License
holders are reminded that prior to license renewal, all log books 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, please call the Marine
Fisheries office at 401-423-1926. DEM's Boat Registration and Licensing Office
will not accept log books.
Recreational
Freshwater Fishing Licenses for 2019 Season Available Soon
DEM
reminds anglers that the freshwater fishing season runs from March 1 through
February 28. Regardless of when they were purchased, recreational freshwater
fishing licenses, along with recreational shellfish and combination licenses
for the 2018 season will expire on February 28, 2019. Licenses for the 2019
season will be available online and will be valid from March 2019 through
February 2020.
The
recreational saltwater fishing season runs on a calendar-year basis, and the
recreational saltwater fishing license is valid from January through December.
Follow
DEM on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) or Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM
for more information on boating in Rhode Island as well as other timely
updates.
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