The state ’ s crab fishery is comprised of several species , of which Jonah crab is the most prominent . One of the top ten species landed in 2021 , the Jonah crab catch has risen nearly eightfold in the last twenty-five years , and Rhode Island crews bring in about 25 percent of the commercial harvest in the United States . In 2021 , that amounted to more than 2.1 million pounds , valued at more than $ 2.5 million , according to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management ’ s 2022 fishery management plan . Atlantic rock crab is a distant second , with 78,078 pounds caught and brought ashore here , valued at nearly $ 69,000 . The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration does not publicly release landing numbers for deep sea red crab , which is fished under a federal permit , but the quota is 4.5 million pounds .
For fishermen like McCaffrey , Williams ’ refurbished facility and entrance into the Rhode Island market smooths the back end of the trip .
“ It gives me a full-time purchaser for my product every time I come in . Before that you had to peddle them around here and there to move them . [ Williams ] has got a directed deal that is waiting to take these ,” says McCaffrey , as he runs the winch to bring another load of crab to the rails . “[ Access to this facility ] means I don ’ t have to wait on a truck to come take me out . The building ’ s always going to be here , there will always be staff there — that ’ s huge — as far as off-loading . Years ago , the truck breaks down , it ’ s stuck in traffic , something snafued in the communication line and you ’ re waiting — so this is good .”
Williams ’ investment in Galilee coincides with another by the state : the setting aside of $ 60 million to assure the longterm life of Galilee as a commercial port . Projects include repairs to the south bulkhead area of the port , and in the north bulkhead area , “ replacing 1,000 feet of steel bulkhead , replacing heavy-duty docks for large commercial vessels , strengthening many other docks , and raising the height of the bulkhead and docks to combat rising seas and protect against
16 TH ANNUAL
Helping
A special fundraising event to help women experiencing homelessness
THURSDAY , MAY 11 , 2023
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Women Helping Women brings together hundreds of committed women in support of Crossroads ’ Women ’ s Shelter and other programs for women experiencing homelessness across Rhode Island . This in-person event offers the opportunity to network and provide impactful and engaging content – you don ’ t want to miss it !
There is nothing more powerful than strong women reaching out and lifting up other women who are struggling with life ’ s hardships .
REGISTER OR DONATE NOW AT
www . crossroadsri . org
For sponsorship or co-host opportunities please contact Tracey Mahoney at 401.277.4346 or tmahoney @ crossroadsri . org
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND TRADE
MON-SAT : 10AM - 8PM SUN : 11AM - 6PM
6 JAMES P MURPHY HWY , WEST WARWICK , RI RT . 2 , ADJACENT TO CARDI ’ S FURNITURE & MATTRESSES
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l MARCH 2023 31