DEM Reminds Harvesters That Commercial Marine Licenses Are Up For Renewal And Most Are Due By Feb. 29

Published on Wednesday, February 21, 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 nonresident standard licenses that their renewals are due by close of business on Thursday, Feb. 29.

DEM has mailed license renewal notices to over 6,000 of the current individual license holders in its system. Fishers are encouraged to renew online at DEM’s Rhode Island Outdoors (RIO) licensing website using their unique customer identification number (CID). License holders also 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 through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.



Failure to renew licenses by Feb. 29 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. It 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 2024 without a valid 2024 license. The marine license year runs Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024.

All commercial fishers must comply with the commercial marine harvester logbook and electronic reporting requirements. Failure to do so will negatively affect one’s 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. 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, which is located here. 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.