NEW: Allow Rhode Island Shellfishers to Sell Directly to Consumers, Urges McNamara

NEW: Allow Rhode Island Shellfishers to Sell Directly to Consumers, Urges McNamara

Rhode Island State Representative Joe McNamara is urging the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to allow the state’s shellfishers to sell their product directly to the consumer, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a financial impact on small businesses. 

“Giving these shellfishermen permission to do this would be a service to the community,” said McNamara. “Especially at a time when people are looking for sustainable, nutritious foods that they can get directly from the harvesters. This is an invaluable opportunity to fulfill a need of the populace as well as help an industry that’s facing a cutback in demand at a time that is traditionally their busiest season.”

Equity with Lobster Industry
 
McNamara, in a letter to DEM Director Janet Coit, wrote, “Lobstermen have been granted permission to sell their products at retail. I believe that this disparity between lobstermen and shellfishermen are based on a negative perception that commercial shellfishermen somehow do not handle their products safely. This prejudice is totally unfounded, today’s shellfishermen are extremely careful and knowledgeable about the handling and storage of shellfish. 

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

It is for this reason I believe that an equitable solution that would allow these professional fishermen to sell their product to the public, should be allowed.”