What Is the Future for Aquaculture in Rhode Island?
By Bill Silkes

My usual answer to this frequently asked question sounds something like "...Molluscan shellfish culture is the only sector presently developing in Rhode Island but, the limits to the industry are in our minds." I am never satisfied with the answer. It might do well to consider several recent developments in an attempt to frame a better answer.

* S2771 the Fisheries Re-licensing Bill became law in June 2002. This bill includes language the aquaculture industry has wanted for many years.

* DEM has modernized their shellfish dealer, harvester and aquaculture regulations to reflect current industry practices, the needs of the aquaculture industry and the mission of DEM. The legislation and the regulation improvements reflect strong leadership on the part of Director Jan Reitsma and his staff.

* The DEM Division of Agriculture awarded a $10,000 grant to the OSAA for marketing. This too reflects strong leadership as well as recognition that we are farmers not fishers.

* The leadership of the CRMC and the efforts of Dave Alves, the Aquaculture Coordinator, has created a forum where fishing industry leaders and the aquaculture interests can discuss the issues and find common ground.

* The CRMC continues to smooth the bumps in the permitting road such that a lease application can be processed in as little as three months and recent lease applications have been processed with little or no public opposition.

* Senator Jack Reed brought $1.4 million in federal monies to Rhode Island in April 2002 to fuel the development of aquaculture in the state.

* Dr. Barry Costa-Pierce, a world class aquaculture researcher and author, took the helm at RI Sea Grant last year. His work with the aquaculture industry and his enthusiasm and experience in offshore aquaculture will serve us well as this new frontier develops.

* Bob Rheault is working with a group to develop a legal framework for permitting and leasing aquaculture in federal waters (3 to 200 miles offshore).

*A feasibility study for a biotechnology/ aquaculture incubator facility in Rhode Island is being conducted.

A sea change is occurring. We need to build on this momentum. Today, the shellfish sector needs to become profitable, create jobs and pay taxes while understanding and respecting the ecosystem.

Doug McLoud, Executive Director of the European Mollusc Production Association, (at Aquaculture Canada on Prince Edward Island Sept 2002) reported that the EU countries of the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, France and Italy produced 665,000 metric tonnes of mussels, oysters and clams in 1999 with a farm gate value of 580 million Euro. With the support of Government our industry can innovate and work through the user conflicts and become good corporate citizens.

The limits are in our minds. - Bill