ECONOMIC VALUE of RECREATIONAL FISHING to RHODE ISLAND HAS INCREASED Value Now More Than Commercial Fishing
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www.RISAA.org JUNE, 2017 • Issue 222 401-826-2121 Representing Over 7,500 Recreational Anglers Updated NOAA report... ECONOMIC VALUE OF RECREATIONAL FISHING TO RHODE ISLAND HAS INCREASED Value now more than commercial fishing Recreational fishing appeals to our sense of adventure and builds a lifetime of memories with family and friends. It is also important to the Rhode Island economy! (See story on page 16) Proposed changes to coastal management of tautog States Schedule Hearings on Draft Amendment 1 The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has announced that the states of Massachusetts through Virginia have scheduled hearings to gather public comment on Draft Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Tautog. The Draft Amendment proposes a fundamental change in tautog management, moving away from management on a coastwide basis towards regional management. In addition, Draft Amendment 1 proposes the establishment of a commercial harvest tagging program, as well as new goals and objectives, biological reference points and fishing mortality targets, and a stock rebuilding schedule. Specifically, Draft Amendment 1 proposes delineating the stock into four regions due to differences in biology and fishery characteristics, as well as limited coastwide movement. (to page 37) R.I.S.A.A. / May, 2017 Public access must be a never ending fight It was disappointing last month to learn The case, Peter Kilmartin, Attorney June 3 • 10:00 AM Kayak Committee that the Rhode Island Supreme Court General of the State of Rhode Island vs Annual Meet & Greet, Goddard Park would not overturn the lower court ruling Joan M. Barbuto, et al. was filed in RI boat ramp. All welcome. on the Weekapaug shoreline case, Superior Court against 21 defendants and Kilmartin v. Barbuto. several “intervenors” who joined in with June 6 • 6:30 PM Youth Fishing Camp Unfortunately, the Court upheld the them. Committee meeting trial court decision and findings of fact, On September 4, 2014 Judge J. Stern June 9 • 5:00 PM Fly Fishing Committee stating “that the 1909 Plat and Indenture ruled that “the 1909 Plat and the Indenture fishing at Chepiwanoxet Point, E.G. did not reveal manifest intent to dedicate did not create an incipient dedication of the over-two-mile stretch of beach to the easement across the Beach Area portrayed June 10 • RISAA Trip to Fenway Park public.” It did, however, restore and upheld on the 1909 Plat.” The AG’s case was that rights of way to the Ocean that had denied. June 12 • 6:00 PM Kayak Committee been called into question by the trial court. Believing the judge did not properly fishing at Newport Harbor This case was started by us (RISAA) consider the original plat map’s intention, back in April of 2011 when I received a AG Kilmartin appealed the case to the R.I. June 14 • 6:00 PM Fly Fishing Committee complaint from a person that a few Supreme Court. RISAA filed an amicus fishing at Kings Park, Newport homeowners along Atlantic Avenue, brief in support, along with other June 20 • 6:30 PM RISAA Board of Westerly had erected fences down to the organizations. But the Court would not Directors meeting water’s edge, posted “Keep Out” signs and overturn the lower court ruling. called the police if anyone walked or Gregory S. Schultz, AAG in the June 21 • 6:00 PM Kayak Committee stopped in front of “their” beach. Environmental Unit who helped try the fishing at Weavers Cove, Portsmouth Myself and two other board members, case, said in an email, “Although we are along with two enforcement officers from extremely disappointed in the decision, we June 23 • 5:00 PM Fly Fishing Committee Coastal Resources Management Council believe that it was the right decision to fishing at Goddard Park, Warwick (CRMC), an attorney and a neighborhood bring the matter before the Court to June 24 • 19th Annual TAKE-A-KID resident met at the shoreline at one of the determine the intent of the original FISHING Day Right of Ways (ROW) which adjoined the landowners. Unfortunately, it is very home of the most obnoxious property difficult to prove the “manifest intent” of June 26 • 7:00 RISAA Monthly Seminar owner who had no problem calling the five landowners on a matter that is more and Quarterly Meeting police when people trespassed on his than 100 years old. beach. “Mike Rubin and I would especially June 27-29 • 2nd Annual Youth Fishing There was discussion of the original like to thank the R.I. Saltwater Anglers Camp, Rocky Point, Warwick 1909 plat map that showed definite Association (RISAA), who made the initial property lines, ending BEFORE the shore, complaint to this office and then provided June 26 • 7:00 PM RISAA Monthly Seminar when the lots were divided and sold. initial support for this matter, including the We hired an attorney that specialized funding of title work by an attorney and July 11 • 6:00 AM Kayak Committee in real estate, and when the original map survey work by a surveyor.” fishing at Quonnie Breachway confirmed these property lines, we then hired a surveyor to check those property Do you know how much of the Atlantic Jul 31 • 7:00 PM RISAA Monthly Seminar lines vs what the property owners today coast is available for public use purposes? were using as their property lines. About 8 percent! Ninety-two percent of Aug 28 • 7:00 PM RISAA Monthly It seemed a case could be made that the whole Atlantic coast, and the figures Seminar those homeowners were illegally erecting are the same for the Pacific, are held in The Official Newsletter of the fences and keeping people from walking the most part by a comparatively few Rhode Island along a shoreline that they did not own. people, and unless we now, before it is too Saltwater Anglers Association We set up a meeting with Peter late, take these areas of the country which Published Monthly Kilmartin, the RI Attorney General, who we offer the maximum for recreation for all Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers already knew to be a proponent of public of our people, unless we set them aside Association, Inc. access. He agreed there was some merit now, it will be too late. P.O. Box 1465 to this issue and assigned two of his John F. Kennedy, President Coventry, RI 02816 Assistant Attorneys to investigate. September 28, 1963 - 2 - R.I.S.A.A. / June, 2017 The RISAA Legislative Committee’s mission is to provide, in partnership with the Affiliated Clubs, a forum for improving the knowledge and understanding of fishery-related and government issues that affect recreational anglers. An informed membership encourages involvement and advocacy. The Legislative Committee will strive to advocate responsible fishery decision. The Committee is comprised of RISAA Members and delegates from the Affiliated Clubs. The Committee meets two or three times a year, depending on the number of fishery and/or legislative issues that develop. Time for some positive fishing news! How about some positive fishing news? Every day there’s existing boat ramps and public fishing areas, to provide fish a lot of discouraging fishing news with all of the regulations stock assessment support and to provide public education, (necessary, but often painful), state and federal fishing laws, information and outreach. Programs such as the Rhode Island fishing bills in Congress, climate change news and more. Recreational Saltwater Fishing magazine available in bait shops So here it is, the positive, good fishing news from Rhode as well as a youth fishing camp are also funded from this money. Island. Most of this positive news was made possible by rebuilt #2. Youth Fishing Camp is a hoot! fish stocks (under the Magnuson-Sevens Act) so there is an It is important to teach our youth about fishing. Fishing abundance of fish for all to catch and eat. appeals to our sense of adventure and teaches us patience. It is Hope something here brightens your day. one of those activities where science and art converge. It teaches us to be good stewards of the environment and it allows us to #1. Saltwater recreational fishing licenses were up build a lifetime of memories and friendships. in Rhode Island about 11% in 2016 and this year they are up by In 2016 a fishing camp for youth was developed and 9% compared to 2016. This is great fishing news. More people implemented in Rhode Island by RISAA as a pilot program. The are interested in fishing since the angler state or federal license/ three day camp, sponsored by the RISAA and assisted by RI registry became mandatory in 2011. DEM, had 50 children, 7 to 14 years old participate. An increase in licenses means an increase in revenue and spending on promoting fishing and fishing access. John Lake of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s (DEM) Marine Fisheries Division said, “I would say the increase is likely driven by the economy. However, I believe that the enhanced presence of our surveyors at access points, additional outreach engaging fishing clubs and enhanced communications raises awareness of the license requirement.” Whatever the reason, more licenses means better compliance and more people engaging in saltwater fishing. The purpose of the saltwater license program in Rhode Island as defined by state law is to provide a source of state funding for programs and activities that benefit marine recreational fishing interests in Rhode Island. If Rhode Island did not have such a program, anglers (like all coastal state anglers) would have to register with the National Marine Richard Reish, lead surfcasting instructor, explains the Fisheries Service.