Outdoors in RI: The Standard Fishing License combines categories – time to renew

With the Rhode Island General Assembly’s recent amendments to the state commercial fishing licensing law forming the basis for the changes, the Department of Environmental Management has converted several major categories of licenses, including what used to be known as commercial fishing licenses and principal effort licenses, into one new category, the standard fishing license.

The simplified standard fishing license, with either limited or unlimited fishery sector endorsements, allows the same fishing access as the previous license and in some cases may provide more access. An unlimited fishery endorsement allows access to all allowable species within the sector for which it is applicable, whether it be finfish, shellfish, or crustacean. A limited fishery endorsement allows access to a limited suite of species within the sector for which it is applicable. The limited list of species can be found at rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/250-90-00-2 and rules.sos.ri.gov/Regulations/Part/250-90-00-22.

The DEM has mailed license renewal notices to all 2,800 current individual license-holders in its system. The renewal window runs from Jan. 1 to midnight on Feb. 28 for the three categories with the most license-holders: resident and nonresident standard fishing, ranging from $150 to $425 for Rhode Island residents and from $300 to $1,750 for nonresidents, depending on the number of endorsements; multipurpose, $450 for Rhode Island residents, not available to nonresidents; and shellfish over 65, which is available at no fee to R.I. residents 65 and older allowing participation in the quahaug fishery sector at basic harvest and gear levels.

Failure to renew licenses by Feb. 28 will result in the assessment of a $200 late fee if license-holders opt to renew their marine licenses during the 60-day grace period that follows immediately for late renewals, which runs March 1 through April 29. Deadline dates and renewal grace periods do not extend the validity of expired licenses. It is unlawful to fish in 2023 without a valid 2023 license.

Users can renew by mail or in person at the DEM Office of Boat Registration and Licensing located at 235 Promenade Street, Room 360, Providence, RI, 02908, or by calling 401-222-6647. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. With a license renewal backlog anticipated because of the transition to the Rhode Island Outdoors licensing website system, DEM will extend a two-week renewal period, through close of business on Friday, Jan. 13, for current license-holders wishing to renew in order to fish starting Jan. 1. During this two-week period, it will be permissible to fish with a valid 2022 license if a renewal has not been processed in time.

Also, the DEM will issue a limited number of SFLs in two fishery sectors: 12 new unlimited finfish endorsements and 30 new unlimited shellfish endorsements for R.I. residents only. As is the case with the license categories mentioned above, the application period will run Jan. 1 to Feb. 28. Applications and guidance documents are posted at dem.ri.gov. License determinations will be finalized after the Feb. 28 deadline date. Successful license issuance will be based on criteria set forth in the commercial and recreational fishing license regulations.

As in past years, DEM will offer student shellfish licenses to any Rhode Island resident who is a full-time student and 23 or younger as of June 30, 2023. The fee for these licenses is $50 and current license-holders have until June 30 to renew. There is no grace period, or late-fee renewals, for student shellfish license-holders.

Licensed fishers are obligated to comply with possession limits for finfish as provided in the Division Marine Fisheries listserv, dedicated phone line at 401-423-1920, or webpage. Licensed shellfishers are obligated to comply with conditional closure areas as provided on DEM’s dedicated phone line at 401-222-2900. Also, all applicants who harvest shellfish must complete a 30-minute online tutorial at ri.gov/dem/training/shellfish/.

For more information, email [email protected] to sign up for marine fishery meetings and notices. For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit dem.ri.gov.