Rhode Island

Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance
Pre-Implementation of Electronic Monitoring in New England’s Groundfish Fishery (MA, ME, NH, RI)
Advance electronic monitoring in New England’s groundfish fishery by continuing operation of a successful pilot project and working with stakeholders to clarify standards and needs related to the technology. Project will engage 35 vessels to finalize electronic monitoring standards and ensure that data is effectively stored, shared, and used by regional stock assessment scientists and other data end users.
$524,586

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County
Implementing a Bycatch Avoidance Communication Network (MA, NH, NJ, NY, RI)
Expand the Bycatch Avoidance Communication Network to identify and report real-time bycatch of nine species, helping to avoid the implementation of restrictive management measures associated with this bycatch. Project will enhance the network by improving daily reporting rates, recruiting additional vessels to the network, and conducting five at-sea observer days to facilitate proper reporting.
$57,621

Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Scaling Maximized Retention Electronic Monitoring in the Northeast Groundfish Fishery (MA, ME, NH, RI)
Expand the Maximized Retention Electronic Monitoring program by adding three to four vessels to the electronic monitoring fleet and refining in person dockside monitoring. Project will conduct outreach to vessels, assess the economic impacts of this programs previous years for fishermen, and continue review of collected electronic monitoring data.
$405,000

Integrated Monitoring
Implementing Wireless Electronic Monitoring and Reporting Tools in New England (MA, ME,NH, RI)
Expand broadband, wireless electronic reporting to high volume fishing vessels in New England, including  ground fish vessels, limited access scallop vessels, and charter vessels. Project will demonstrate the scalability and transferability of wireless electronic monitoring technology and electronic reporting using broadband vessel monitoring system.
$229,530

Manomet
Coordinating American Oystercatcher Recovery on the Atlantic Coast (multiple states)
Provide coordination of the American oystercatcher recovery initiative and actionable change based on lessons learned from 2009-2019 and reduce the impact of predators and human disturbance on populations of breeding shorebirds along the U.S. Atlantic coast. Project will contribute substantially to the goals of the Atlantic Flyway Business Plan.
$79,999

New England Marine Monitoring
Integrating Artificial Intelligence Algorithms to Strengthen Electronic Monitoring (MA, ME, NH, RI)
Integrate existing artificial intelligence algorithms into electronic monitoring review, transmission, and storage workflows to reduce program costs. Project will advance the artificial intelligence used in the New England Groundfish electronic monitoring fisheries to automate catch accounting and streamline data storage thus addressing management priorities.
$241,109

Partnership for Providence Parks
Conservation and Recreation in Rhode Island
Restore 2 acres of habitat to promote conservation efforts of New England cottontail while reaching over 900 youths with schoolyard habitat implementation and outdoor programs. Project will engage more than 2,000 people in outdoor experiences, including fishing and birding programs.
$48,306

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Improve Coastal Resiliency at Quonochontaug Pond and Breachway (RI)
Assess 49 acres of breachway, shoreline and adjacent landscape at Quonochontaug Salt Pond to develop preliminary designs that incorporate green infrastructure and ecologically enhanced shoreline into the gray infrastructure that exists. Project will be a permit-ready, 60-percent site design with coastal adaptation elements that provide improved resilience.
$75,000

Trout Unlimited 
Assessing Brook Trout Populations and Aquatic Barrier Status in the Big River Management Area (RI)
Conduct an inventory of native brook trout populations, a water temperature study and a fisheries barrier assessment within the Big River Management Area located in central Rhode Island. Project will produce a report that will summarize the status of brook trout populations, distribution of water temperatures and prioritize future implementation efforts to enhance brook trout habitat and protect water quality within the 22 miles of mapped streams.
$89,958

Wildlife Management Institute
Enhancing Forest Habitat for New England Cottontails, Golden-Winged Warbler and American Woodcock (multiple states)
Enhance participation in Farm Bill programs by supporting habitat biologists and outreach specialists to interface with private landowners to provide young forest habitat for more than 50 Species of Conservation Need in New England. Project will develop forest management plans that utilize existing Best Management Practices, develop healthy diverse forest age classes, and protect riparian habitat values, improving management on 200 acres.
$156,290