[Rimarinefisheries] DEM Launches New RI Shellfish Harvester Education & Certification Program

[rimarinefisheries at listserve.ri.gov]

DEM has launched a new education and certification program that is mandatory for everyone who commercially harvests and lands shellfish in RI.   The goal of the program is to ensure that shellfish harvesters deliver a safe product to shellfish dealers and, in turn, to shellfish consumers.  In accordance with US FDA requirements, and new regulations adopted by DEM, holders of all applicable commercial licenses and landing permits for 2018 must obtain certification via the new program.  The certification requirement applies to:


  *   All holders of commercial shellfish licenses -- i.e., Principal Efforts Licenses and Commercial Fishing Licenses with quahog, soft-shell clam, and/or shellfish other endorsements; Over 65 Shellfish Licenses, and Student Shellfish Licenses;
  *   All holders of Multipurpose Licenses who harvest shellfish; and
  *   All holders of landing permits who land shellfish.

The certification requirement applies to both license/permit renewals and new licenses/permits, beginning in 2018.  All certificates are valid for 5 years, after which re-certification will be required.  All applicable 2018 license/permit renewals will be processed during the December 2017-February 2018 license renewal period, even if certification has not yet been obtained.  However, all such holders of renewed licenses/permits must obtain their certification by April 6, 2018.  Any applicable license/permit holder who fails to become certified by April 6, 2018 will be notified regarding the deficiency.  Failure to comply by that date may result in license/permit suspension.  All new shellfish license/permit applicants must obtain their certification prior to the issuance of the new license or permit.  There are two ways to obtain certification:


  1.  Complete a 30-minute online tutorial, which is available here: https://www.ri.gov/dem/training/shellfish/
  2.  Attend one of several group presentations offered by DEM.  A schedule of the first round of group sessions is provided below.
Note: Those who attended the RI Shellfishermen's Association Meeting on November 15, 2017 and obtained their certification at that time do not need to do anything else.

To learn more about the program, including detailed information on all regulatory requirements and exceptions pertaining to the program, visit www.dem.ri.gov/harvester<http://www.dem.ri.gov/harvester>.

A separate education and training program, administered by the RI Coastal Resources Management Council, applies to the certification and licensing of all commercial shellfish aquaculturists in Rhode Island.

For those who would prefer to obtain their certification by attending a group session, instead of taking the online tutorial, the following opportunities are available.  There is no need to pre-register.  Additional group session may be conducted, as needed.


  1.  Wednesday, January 3, 2018 - 6 pm
URI Narragansett Bay Campus, Hazard Conference Room, South Ferry Rd., Narragansett, RI


  1.  Monday, January 22, 2018 - 6 pm
Warwick Public Library, Large Meeting Room, 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick, RI



  1.  Thursday, January 25, 2018 - 6 pm
Bristol Maritime Center, 127 Thames St., Bristol, RI

For further information on any aspect of the new certification program, contact Robert Ballou in the DEM Director's Office at Robert.Ballou at dem.ri.gov<mailto:Robert.Ballou at dem.ri.gov>, 401-222-4700, ext. 4420

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