About this Project
The need to chart the uses of Rhode Island waters has been apparent for years. As the population in the
region continues to grow more conflicting uses will be proposed for the waters of Rhode Island. The marine
waters of Rhode Island, the Ocean State, are heavily used by a wide variety of interests. The uses of the
bay include recreational boating, recreational fishing, commercial fishing, commercial vessel traffic, military
vessels and research vessels. Additionally, the shoreline is heavily used for recreation and moorings can be
found just about anywhere. Within any of these groups is another wide variety of vessels. For example: within
the recreational vessel group there are sail boats, power boats, row boats, kayaks, canoes, even ground effect
airplanes, all moving between 1 and 100 knots.
This project is an offshoot of the Coastal Resources Management Council's (CRMC) working group on aquaculture
and fisheries. The purpose of these charts is to identify various areas of the state's waters that are used
for fishing and aquaculture. Thanks to funding provided by the Rhode Island Aquaculture Initiative this site
will be continuously upgraded.
This project is designed to identify users of the state's waters. This identification is critical to the
planning of any future development. In any development the first step in the process is identifying the stakeholders.
This set of maps will allow planners to make sure stakeholders are included in the first phases of any planning process.
Sponsors:
- The University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension Service
- The University of Rhode Island Agricultural Experiment Station
- The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council
Funding:
- The University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension Service generously provided funding for this project.
- Continuing funding by the Rhode Island Aquaculture Initiative.
Collaborators:
- The Ocean State Fishermen's Association
- The Rhode Island Shellfishermen's Association
- The Rhode Island Salt Water Anglers Association
- The Rhode Island Commercial Fishermen's Association
- The Ocean State Aquaculture Association
- Roger Williams University, Center for Economic and Environmental Development
- The University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension Service
- The University of Rhode Island Agricultural Experiment Station
- The University of Rhode Island Department of Animal, Veterinary and Animal Sciences
- The University of Rhode Island Sea Grant
- The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
- The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council
