NARRAGANSETT, R.I. -- February 12, 2001 -- Commercial fishing license systems used in the southern Atlantic states will be the theme of the next public meeting hosted by the Coastal Institute at the University of Rhode Island. The meeting will be held on Saturday, February 17, at the Corless Auditorium on URI’s Narragansett Bay Campus at 1 p.m.

This session is the third in a series of public meetings to discuss fisheries management and options for the marine fishing licensing system in Rhode Island.

Three speakers will present examples of licensing schemes used in southern states. Roy Williams, assistant director of the Florida Division of Marine Fisheries, will provide an overview of the Florida system, including recently enacted procedures for the lobster and stone crab fisheries. Fisherman Anthony Iarocci, a member of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, will discuss his views on whether Florida’s licensing system appears to be working. Kathi Kitner, staff member of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, will describe the licensing schemes employed by other south Atlantic states.

The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information call 874-6513 or visit the Coastal Institute web site at www.ci.uri.edu/projects/rifish.