Report to the Coastal Council on the progress of the: CRMC Working Group on Aquaculture Regulations David Alves, CRMC Aquaculture Coordinator February 26, 2008

CRMC WGAR background First met in 2000 First met in 2000 –CRMC recognized need for communication Ceased meeting in 2002 Ceased meeting in 2002 –All participants decided that goals were met Results Results –Narragansett Bay charting project –New guidelines in CRMC Regulations –Increased communication

CRMC WGAG Current sessions Marine Fisheries Council concerned Marine Fisheries Council concerned DEM F&W also concerned DEM F&W also concerned Aquaculture grew to 100 acres, state wide Aquaculture grew to 100 acres, state wide DEM F&W and MFC refused to offer Council opinions on new leases DEM F&W and MFC refused to offer Council opinions on new leases Communication was again needed Communication was again needed Began meeting summer 2007 Began meeting summer 2007

CRMC WGAG Current sessions Who are the members of the WGAR? Who are the members of the WGAR? –NGOs: Save The Bay, Salt Pond Coalition, Sierra Club; –Industry representatives: RI Farm Bureau; OSAA, RISA, RISAA, MFC –Academia: URI, RWU –USDA, State legislators –Regulatory agencies: DEM F&W, DOH, CRMC –Total of 28 members, who regularly attend meetings

CRMC WGAG Current sessions How much aquaculture is there? Total in all RI waters = 110 acres Total in all RI waters = 110 acres This equals 0.037% of total State waters This equals 0.037% of total State waters Salt ponds = 5,387 acres/55 acres aquaculture = 1.0% Salt ponds = 5,387 acres/55 acres aquaculture = 1.0% Narragansett Bay = 87,723 acres/55 acres of aquaculture = 0.062% Narragansett Bay = 87,723 acres/55 acres of aquaculture = 0.062% Combined Salt Ponds and Narragansett Bay = 0.12% Combined Salt Ponds and Narragansett Bay = 0.12%

CRMC WGAG Current sessions Salt Ponds: how much aquaculture is there? Salt Ponds: how much aquaculture is there? –Ninigret Pond = 0.25% –Winnapaug Pond = 1.91% –Potters Pond = 1.81% –Pt. Judith Pond = 2.54%

CRMC WGAG Current sessions Who are the aquaculturists? Who are the aquaculturists? Commercial Fishermen hold: Commercial Fishermen hold: –39% of all aquaculture leases –57% of leases in ponds

CRMC WGAG Current sessions What has been accomplished? What has been accomplished? –The group has met monthly since July 2007 –Subcommittee Report on the Biological Impacts of Aquaculture has been finished Chapters written by RI experts Chapters written by RI experts Reviewed by WGAR, members given 4 months to review document Reviewed by WGAR, members given 4 months to review document Unanimously approved by WGAR Unanimously approved by WGAR

CRMC WGAG Current sessions Biology report; Scientifically defensible recommendations: Biology report; Scientifically defensible recommendations: –Limit shellfish aquaculture to 5% of any water body –Seek funding for research into interactions –Establish interagency board to make disease recommendations –Fund disease monitoring in wild and cultured populations

CRMC WGAG Current sessions Biology report; Scientifically defensible recommendations: Biology report; Scientifically defensible recommendations: –Continued participation in ANS and further activities –Continue to protect natural resources in leasing process –Encourage BMPs for aquaculture industry

CRMC WGAG Current sessions What has been accomplished? What has been accomplished? –Charting of uses of all of the Salt Ponds –New suggestions for regulatory changes have been discussed and agreed upon Lease marking Lease marking FAQ for public education FAQ for public education Fate of public resource on leases Fate of public resource on leases Suggested regulation changes Suggested regulation changes

CRMC WGAG Current sessions What’s next? What’s next? –Suggested regulation changes - WGAR needs to arrive at consensus WGAR needs to arrive at consensus If consensus is not possible majority and minority opinions will be prepared If consensus is not possible majority and minority opinions will be prepared These changes will then go to DEM and CRMC for consideration These changes will then go to DEM and CRMC for consideration Write aquaculture development plan? Write aquaculture development plan?

Acknowledgements Biology Subcommittee Chair, Dr. David Bengtson, URI Dr. Barry Costa-Pierce, RI Sea Grant; Dr. Marta Gomez- Chiarri, URI; Dr. Dale Leavitt, RWU; Mr. Brian Murphy, DEM; Mr. Perry Raso, OSAA, Dr. Robert Rheault, OSAA; Ms. Abby Wood, Save The Bay.

Acknowledgements Charting Project Mr. David Beutel, URI Thanks to: Mark Bullinger, Salt Pond Coalition; Mark Bullinger, Salt Pond Coalition; David Prescott, Save The Bay; Wendy Waller Esq., Save The Bay

Acknowledgements All of the Working Group Participants With Special Thanks to Wendy Waller, Esq., Save The Bay, for allowing herself to be roped into taking meeting notes.