Meeting Tonight on Shellfish Management

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, with support from the University of Rhode Island, are developing a Rhode Island Shellfish Management Plan. 

There will be an RI SMP Stakeholder Meeting, to promote the participation of individuals and businesses concerned with the future of the commercial and recreational issue of shellfish on Wednesday, May 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Corless Auditorium at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography’s Narragansett Bay Campus.

This full stakeholder meeting will include an update on the SMP, including the plan's progress, on-going projects, and proposed next steps. In addition, the meeting will serve as the third seminar in the SMP Seminar Series, entitled: "Room Enough For Everyone? Addressing User Conflicts in Narragansett Bay and the Coastal Ponds."

URI researchers Rob Thompson and Tracey Dalton will speak about the many individuals and activities using, and at times competing for, space in the Bay and ponds. How will the state balance uses, needs, and future growth?

Panelists will speak about the concept of "social carrying capacity" and possible strategies to minimize conflicts on the water.

Audience questions and discussion will be highly encouraged.

Shellfishing is a historic and traditional industry in the Ocean State, with a large economic impact in Rhode Island.  The comprehensive SMP will:

• Demonstrate the economic, environmental, and cultural value of the shellfish resource and industry to the people of Rhode Island.
• Propose alternative shellfish management strategies and mechanisms for implementation.
• Promote science-based shellfish management decisions.

The initiative is being jointly funded the Rhode Island Foundation, the Prospect Hill Foundation, the Sharpe Family Foundation/Henry and Peggy Sharpe, URI Coastal Institute, URI Coastal Resources Center, and the Rhode Island Sea Grant College Program.

Directions: The URI Narragansett Bay Campus is located on South Ferry Road in Narragansett, off Route 1A, approximately one mile east of the intersection of Route 1 and Route 138, via Kingstown Road.