Fisheries
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East Farm Day
Rhode Island Sea Grant Fisheries Extension participated in East Farm Day, Saturday, May 12, and it was a huge success. Approximately 3,000 people visited the farm, providing excellent exposure for URI. Fisheries Extension had a booth educating people about the aquaculture and fisheries programs that are available to students at URI as well as an underwater camera set up in the East Farm pond to capture the habitat and movement of fish. Kathy Castro and Barbara Somers talked with prospective students and their parents about potential careers in marine science and what kinds of jobs are available to students once they graduate.
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Biological and economic information about the important fish and shellfish species in Rhode Island was also highlighted to give people an overview of where their food comes from. There was a quiz for people to take to test their knowledge of commercially important species in Rhode Island and information on how to find out which species are considered sustainable.
Fisheries Extension also set up a booth in the Fisheries Center displaying several types of fishing gear. The DVD “Where Does Your Seafood Come From? – Contemporary Fisheries of Rhode Island” played continuously, giving people the opportunity to learn about how their seafood is captured here in Rhode Island. A pictorial display highlighting various projects done by the group was also set up for viewing. Dave Beutel and Laura Skrobe were available for questions and comments about the gear, projects, or movie.
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Dave and Laura also manned the table for a new activity this year. Children and adults lined up to paint their favorite sustainably caught fish and capture the likeness on a t-shirt. The children were especially thrilled with this activity as they were able to express their artistic abilities and take home a cool t-shirt when all was said and done!
The Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island also made their usual contributions to the day and offered up free samples of their wonderful clam chowder thanks to Rodman Sykes and the Rhode Island Commercial Fishermen’s Association. Professor Conrad Recksiek of the department of fisheries, animal, and veterinary science was also on hand to discuss and answer questions about various species of fish common to Rhode Island that were on display for people to handle.
 Conrad Reckseik answers questions at East Farm Day. Photos by Malia Schwartz. |
The month of June holds lots of activities on the Bay for us. The Coastal Fellow projects are in full swing with weekly trips on the Capn’ Bert to collect fish. Coastal Fellows will also make weekly trips to the artificial reefs in Dutch Harbor aboard the newly christened 24-foot J. Stanley Cobb to monitor fish traps as part of their projects.
June 13, 2007
Marine and Freshwater Resources: Managing for the 21st Century
by W. Michael Sullivan, R.I. Department of Environmental Management director
Blackstone Valley Visitor Center theater, 175 Main St., Pawtucket
7 p.m.
More information
June 20, 2007
Commercial Fisheries of the Bay
by David Beutel
Save The Bay, Providence
5 p.m.
June 25, 2007
How Fish See
by Jacqueline Webb, URI marine biology professor
Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association meeting
West Valley Inn, West Warwick, RI
7 p.m.
$10 for nonmembers
June 26, 2007
Bizarre Sea Creatures
by David Beutel
Bizarre Sea Creatures
Sachuest Point National Widlife Refuge, Middletown
1 p.m.
July 9, 2007
Bizarre Sea Creatures
by David Beutel
Lincoln Public Library
6:30 p.m.