Tag: research

Saltwater license sales are strong and so are tackle store conversations

2010 was the first year of the Rhode Island Saltwater License Program, designed as an alternative to a federal license which became mandatory with a 2006 amendment to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act. The amendment was written to begin more accurate capture of fisheries data like effort and landings. In a rare move, Rhode Island’s … Continue reading Saltwater license sales are strong and so are tackle store conversations →

Stripers, blues & elephants: they’re in trouble and we’re still talking about “us”

It was heartening to see 80 people on a rainy February night at URI’s Corless Auditorium offering comments on the state’s proposed 2020 fisheries regulations but equally disappointing to hear so many fishermen advocate for killing smaller striped bass and more bluefish in light of our understanding that both stocks are overfished and in peril. … Continue reading Stripers, blues & elephants: they’re in trouble and we’re still talking about “us” →

SCORP is guiding the future of public lands, parks and beaches but probably could use some GORP

What if the State held a meeting about the future of our outdoor recreation and no one went? How would we know how our parks, beaches, woods and trails were being managed, purchased or changed? Public participation in public policy is tricky since couches are more comfortable than podiums and screaming at the nightly news … Continue reading SCORP is guiding the future of public lands, parks and beaches but probably could use some GORP →

Poaching needs a judge who respects fish & fishermen

Poaching is back and apparently, as popular as ever. The recent arrest of a local businessman for being more than twice the normal average of greedy is, sadly, yet another reminder of man’s weakness when it comes to taking, which in this case, is the same as stealing. This was his third offence. Social media … Continue reading Poaching needs a judge who respects fish & fishermen →

Fish Wrapped 2017, Part II. The smiles say it all.

“Whatever I catch, I’m going to say it was three times bigger,” said 13 year old Tim Roberts. So begins part two of our year in review, that much-anticipated, semi-obligatory writers holiday crutch, where we succumb to sweet Christmas cookies, Mimi’s salty, perfect antipasto and endless tall cans of Maine microbrew, which easily overtakes any … Continue reading Fish Wrapped 2017, Part II. The smiles say it all. →

Fish Wrapping Up 2017, Part One

So it is, the end of another year and we’ve been so fortunate to report on people searching for and catching fish, people protecting resources and people who were just straight away characters. We started by meeting Mike Lee, proud new owner of Al’s Goldfish Lure Company, the perfect lure that’s likely caught a million … Continue reading Fish Wrapping Up 2017, Part One →

Science never quits (even if you delete it from an EPA website) & fishing for data on URI’s Cap’n Bert

Joe Zottoli told me to be at the dock for exactly 8:50 a.m. It was very clear that details were important, like being on time. He’s studying Biological Oceanography at URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography, runs the deck of their 53’ workhorse research vessel, the Cap’n Bert and is never far from his clipboard and … Continue reading Science never quits (even if you delete it from an EPA website) & fishing for data on URI’s Cap’n Bert →