Commercial Fishing for Good in Rhode Island
Harvesting invasive green crabs is a win for everyone: fishermen, restaurants, consumers, and the ecosystem.
About Point Judith Green Crabs
Story
My Actions
Mission
Our connection to fishing and green crabs goes way back to 2014, when we were just kids catching crabs in the waters of Point Judith Pond. We caught the invasive crabs because it was fun, and it was a way to stay in the water. In 2022, we tried to see if we could make some money by selling crabs to our local marina and bait shop, but were
Our connection to fishing and green crabs goes way back to 2014, when we were just kids catching crabs in the waters of Point Judith Pond. We caught the invasive crabs because it was fun, and it was a way to stay in the water. In 2022, we tried to see if we could make some money by selling crabs to our local marina and bait shop, but were turned away as kids without a commercial license. In 2023, we got licensed and spent nearly the entire summer in the water, selling the crabs for bait to local marinas and bait shops. When the tautog season changed in Rhode Island for the summer of 2024 and the bait shops no longer wanted green crabs, we had to adapt quickly to stay in business. Now we sell our crabs to restaurants, providing a high-quality and delicious seafood product while also helping protect our ecosystem.
Mission
My Actions
Mission
As a small business trying to make our way in the big industry of seafood, we know how important connections with people are. We're so grateful to all the people that have helped us along the way, and now we want to help others get into the harvesting business.
There's so much potential in green crab harvesting, and I'm here to grow the i
As a small business trying to make our way in the big industry of seafood, we know how important connections with people are. We're so grateful to all the people that have helped us along the way, and now we want to help others get into the harvesting business.
There's so much potential in green crab harvesting, and I'm here to grow the industry and help others learn about the impact and opportunity of green crabs.
I advocated for more affordable commercial license costs in Rhode Island, and I successfully spearheaded SB938 and HB6157, creating a $10 commercial green crab license in Rhode Island. Thank you to everyone for your support!
My Actions
My Actions
My Actions
We're very lucky to supply green crabs to some amazing chefs and work with incredible sustainable seafood organizations.
After contacting local Rhode Island legislators, we're very proud that we helped pass two RI General Assembly bills, SB938 and HB6157, to create a $10 Green Crab commercial fishing license. The goal of the bill is to ma
We're very lucky to supply green crabs to some amazing chefs and work with incredible sustainable seafood organizations.
After contacting local Rhode Island legislators, we're very proud that we helped pass two RI General Assembly bills, SB938 and HB6157, to create a $10 Green Crab commercial fishing license. The goal of the bill is to make it more affordable for kids to go out and make a summer job out of green crab harvesting, and help grow the industry and market for green crab harvesting here in Rhode Island.
Now we're teaching kids across the state, educating them on the impact of green crabs and other invasive species, the importance of native ecosystems, and the role commercial fishing plays in conservation, as well as how to get involved by harvesting and selling green crabs yourself!
Why?
Eating With the Ecosystem
My Actions
The European Green Crab is widely acknowledged as one of the most harmful invasive species on the planet. It eats almost everything it can find, survives well in a wide range of temperatures and conditions, and is incredibly successful at asserting itself as a dominant force in an ecosystem. Their population can very easily get out of ha
The European Green Crab is widely acknowledged as one of the most harmful invasive species on the planet. It eats almost everything it can find, survives well in a wide range of temperatures and conditions, and is incredibly successful at asserting itself as a dominant force in an ecosystem. Their population can very easily get out of hand, as it has here in Rhode Island and all up and down the East Coast. By harvesting them, we can help control their presence and give the native species a fighting chance.
Once harvested, green crabs have a variety of applications, from bait, to food, to fertilizer, and maybe even more. By harvesting them and finding ways to utilize them, we contribute both environmentally and economically to solving a common problem.
My Partners
Eating With the Ecosystem
Eating With the Ecosystem
Over the years, we've been so lucky to sell green crabs to some really amazing restaurants. Our past and current partners include:
Hangry Kitchen, Pawtucket, RI
The Shipwright's Daughter, Mystic, CT
Saint Martha, Warren, RI
Dune Brothers, Warwick, RI
These restaurants are great and have been fantastic partners. I highly recommend checking them
Over the years, we've been so lucky to sell green crabs to some really amazing restaurants. Our past and current partners include:
Hangry Kitchen, Pawtucket, RI
The Shipwright's Daughter, Mystic, CT
Saint Martha, Warren, RI
Dune Brothers, Warwick, RI
These restaurants are great and have been fantastic partners. I highly recommend checking them out and supporting them the way that they support me and other local fishermen and harvesters.
Eating With the Ecosystem
Eating With the Ecosystem
Eating With the Ecosystem
I cannot possibly thank Kate Masury and Eating With the Ecosystem enough. She's helped me so much through this entire journey by telling me which license I need, connecting me with chefs, supporting the bills, and really being the reason why I'm even still in this thing. Thanks for everything!
About Me
About Me
About Me
My name is Liam Cromie. I am 17 years old, and I never thought my involvement with green crabs would take me this far. I'm a full time student and part time fisherman, based in Providence and Point Judith, Rhode Island.