Climate Change Effects on Recreational Fishing and Boating: Opportunities and Actions is a two-part webinar series that engaged Northeast recreational anglers, boaters, and climate experts in discussions about how climate change is affecting these traditional uses – both good and bad. Strategies and actions that individuals, governments, and industry are taking to respond to these changes were also discussed. See below for Session 1 info. Session 2: “Climate Change Opportunities for Anglers and Boaters” April 13 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Part 1 of this session featured a discussion on “Adapting to the Changing Climate” in which panelists will talk about strategies and actions they have implemented to adapt to climate change. Part 2 of this session looked at “Big Strategies Towards Resiliency.” Panelists shared approaches industry, government, and environmental advocates are taking toward resiliency that also enhance recreational boating and fishing.
WATCH SESSION 2 WEBINARDOWNLOAD SPEAKER BIOS
Session 2 Speakers
Capt. Chris Willi Block Island Fish Works
James Monti Private recreational fisher
Capt. Richard Lipsitz Angler and winner 2021 BI Inshore Fishing Tournament
Greg DeCelles Chief Science Officer, Ørsted
Meredith Moore Director, Fish Conservation Program, Ocean Conservancy
Chris McGuire Director, Ocean Programs, The Nature Conservancy
Jonathan Stone Executive Director, Save The Bay
Session 1: “Experiencing Climate Change in the Field: What does it mean?” – March 23 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. WATCH SESSION 1 WEBINAR
Session 1 Speakers
Todd Corayer Award-winning Fishing Writer, Kayak-fishing Sharpie and Fish Advocate
Willy Goldsmith, Ph.D. Executive Director, American Saltwater Guides Association
Jon Hare, Ph.D. Director, NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center
Joe Mariani Regional Vice President, Safe Harbor Marinas
Pamela Rubinoff Coastal Management and Climate Extension Specialist University of Rhode Island/GSO – Coastal Resources Center (CRC) and Rhode Island Sea Grant
Abbie Schuster Charter Captain and Fishing Guide, Fish Conservationist and Advocate
Capt. Greg Vespe Executive Director, RI Saltwater Anglers Association
Mike Wade Watch Hill Outfitters, Owner, Climate/Fish Advocate and Expert Fisher
Photo Contest:
The “Effects of Climate Change on Recreational Fishing and Boating” webinar series hosted a photo contest to depict effects of climate change . The winners of the photo contest are Abbie Schuster and James Turek.
Striped bass release in the wash. Photo by Abbie Schuster
Beach erosion, Weekapaug Fire District Beach, Westerly, RI: Sea level rise, increasing storm events, and large storm surges are wearing away our coastal beaches and other shorelines. Photo by James Turek
Event Participants: University of Rhode Island (URI) Graduate School of Oceanography, Coastal Resources Center, Rhode Island Sea Grant, Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Ørsted, American Saltwater Guides Association, Ocean Conservancy, Rhode Island Marine Trades Association, and Safe Harbor Marinas. Jennifer McCann is an organizer for the event series; her focus is coastal and ocean management policy and practice as Director of U.S. Coastal Programs at the URI Coastal Resources Center and Director of Extension for Rhode Island Sea Grant. David Monti is a licensed charter captain serving in leadership roles on several marine- and fisheries-based boards and organizations, including the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association and the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council; he writes about recreational fisheries issues for several publications, including The Providence Journal. Header image photo credits: (1) Courtesy Neil Epstein, (2) Photo by Capt. John McMurray