Fish Expo, boat fair sailing into Rhode Island

The Fish Expo and WorkBoat Atlantic is coming to Rhode Island shores, bringing with it thousands of commercial fisherman, work boat operators, seafood processors, and commercial marine professionals as well as 350 exhibiting companies. Previously held in Boston, Mass., the three-day event will take place this year at the Rhode Island Convention Center from October 12 through the 14.

Event organizers say the 33-year-old convention, held every other year on the East Coast was moved to Rhode Island because of a cost savings, and accessibility.

But at least one Rhode Island fishermen’s organization believes the move is because of a growing focus on Narragansett Bay and the industries that surround it.

”This is huge for us,” said Ralph Boragine, executive director of the Rhode Island Seafood Council. “It’s a very important show for the industry and I think that show organizers have realized that Rhode Island is the center of the commercial fishing industry in the Northeast.”

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Sales Manager for Fish Expo and WorkBoat Atlantic, which is based in Portland, Maine, Chris Dimmerling said Providence seemed like a logical choice for the convention.

”Boston was becoming a pretty tough city to navigate,” he said. “In addition the cost was unbelievable. The city just wasn’t user friendly. The reason for the move was simple – it was a lot easier for people from the south to get there through TF Green which claims to be one of the cheapest airports, and the city could accommodate us.”

From new navigational technology designers to boat dealers and manufactures – the show will have booths designed to meet the needs of every kind of commercial fisherman, Dimmerling said.

”Commercial fisherman are pretty tough people to get a hold of,” he said. “This is in essence a one stop shopping center.”

More than 5,700 visitors are expected to attend the convention and Borgaine said they represent every facet of the commercial fishing industry.

”The people that come to this show are a whole host of commercial fisherman. using all types of gear from rod and reel to shellfishermen to lobstermen,” he said. “You also get some seafood wholesalers and processors there.”

In addition, Boragine said, the convention attracts the boat builders because it’s a workboat show, which includes ferries and barges.

Boragine said the Rhode Island Seafood Council will be only one of many fishermen’s organizations in the state present at the convention. Also, he said the entire state legislature and Governor Lincoln Almond have been invited.

”What we have done by inviting all of these people is point out the importance of the show,” he said. “This is the third conference surrounding the bay being held in Rhode Island this fall. This shows that the Rhode Island industry has really taken a lead and people are beginning to understand the value of the industry to the region. Often time people don’t understand the value of what we have until things like this happen.”

According to Dimmerling, much of the fishing industry in the Northeast is experiencing a growth – making conferences like the Fish Expo and WorkBoat Atlantic even more important. And as a former Rhode Island fisherman himself, Dimmerling is excited to celebrate that success in Rhode Island.

”The industry seems to be on an upswing,” he said. “During the last eight years stocks have rebounded in lobster fishing. Maine especially had a record harvest of lobsters and it a big dollar fishery meaning they are getting paid good money for what they catch. Scallops in New Bedford seem to making a good comeback as well, so the industry is really growing.”

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