Quahoggers Jamboree Part of Bigger Statewide Shellfishing Plan - By David Ghigliotty

Dave Ghigliotty is a commercial shellfisherman who has participated in the Quahogger's Jamboree for the last two years and has been an active participant in the state-wide Shellfish Management Plan efforts.

The recent "Quahogger's Jamboree" at the Warwick Public Library last week, drew attention to an industry that not only is iconic in Rhode Island, but is now taking steps along with state agencies, advocacy groups, oyster growes, and the general public to better manage this valuable resource. The public response and interest in the maps showing what waters are used for shellfishing presented at the jamboree showed how many people are touched by this issue.

As a commercial shellfisherman, one of my biggest concerns is the future of this industry. I have been involved since my teens, and I have seen many changes - some good, some bad. When I heard of the state's new Shellfish Management Plan (SMP) initiative, in which I am participating and is open to all members of the public, I was intrigued but somewhat skeptical.

At the first stakeholders' meeting of the SMP, I was pleasantly surprised to find a body of pople just as interested in the future of shellfishing and Narragansett Bay as I am as a commercial fisherman. Some of these poeple included other wild shellfish harvesters, aquaculturists, government agencies, scientific experts and researchers, and folks who just enjoy the recreational shellfishing as a long-time family tradition and source of good home-cooked meals.

One of the things that particularly impressed me was the open dialogue between these various groups. At one such meeting, we (wild/commercial harvesters) brought up concerns about bay closures and water quality. In response, the folks from the SMP set up a meeting/ seminar on water quality and had the officials that handle these factors provide a detailed explanation to explain the practices and guidelines they must follow. After the presentation, they answered any and all questions. the state agencies listened to our concerns, and as a result, changed a previous management practice giving we shellfishers more time to work in the Upper Bay's Conditional Area A (which is subject to closures after heavy rainfalls).

Narragansett Bay is changing constantly, as is our industry. I believe the SMP has a monumental task ahead of it to deal with such issues as user conflicts, invasive species, water quality, shellfish stock assessments, and more. I think it is important that more folks that make their living out there get involved. We are the ones who see firsthand the Bay changes on a  daily basis, and we need to stay ahead of the wave - not behind it - if we want to insure the survival of our industry for future generations.

I support the SMP and hope that more commercial shellfishermen do as well. I think I have a much better understanding of the big picture by attending the meetings and seminars hosted by the SMP Team at URI. The Quahogger's Jamboree is Warwick was a fun showcase piece for the shellfishing industry and the many people who it supports. Now, through the SMP, the serious work must begin.

(The SMP process is underway - if you'd like mroe info on seminars, meetings, resources, please visit www.rismp.org or call Azure at 401-874-6197)