DEM Reminds Harvesters that the Renewal Grace Period for Commercial Marine License Renewals Ends on April 29

Published on Friday, April 19, 2024

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is reminding Rhode Islanders and nonresidents holding standard fishing licenses, multipurpose licenses, shellfish over 65 licenses, and other licenses must renew their marine licenses at the Statutory fee along with the $200 late fee no later than by close of business on Monday, April 29, when the 60-day grace period ends. Deadline dates and renewal grace periods do not extend the validity of expired licenses. It is unlawful to fish in 2024 without a valid 2024 license. The marine license year runs Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2024. 

Fishers are encouraged to renew online at DEM’s Rhode Island Outdoors (RIO) licensing website using their unique Customer Identification Number (CID). License holders can also 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 call 401-222-6647. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM-3:30 PM. All commercial fishers must be in compliance with the Commercial Marine Harvester Logbook Program, failure to do so will negatively affect the ability to renew the license for the 2024 fishing year. Questions regarding compliance should be directed to DEM’s Division of Marine Fisheries’ Jamestown Office at 401-423-1923 or 401-423-1926. Licensed fishers are obligated to comply with possession limits for finfish as provided in DEM's Division Marine Fisheries listserv, dedicated phone line at 401-423-1920, or webpage. 

All vessels engaged in Rhode Island commercial fisheries must be commercially declared. Applications may be downloaded here or obtained from DEM's Office of Boat Registration and Licensing at the hours listed above, or DEM’s Division of Coastal Resources located 301 Great Island Road, Narragansett, RI, 02882, which has office hours Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. For more information, please subscribe to the listserv by clicking here to stay up-to-date on marine fishery meetings and notices.

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.