Fred Mattera - Providence Business News

CRACKING DOWN: Fred Mattera, president of the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation, says federal legislation to crack down on illegal fishing by foreign vessels could be a boost for the Rhode Island fishing industry.  PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

‘Pirate’ fishing vessels a target of federal bill

Economy 05/23/2025

Fred Mattera, president of the South Kingstown-based Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation, can recall when foreign commercial fishing vessels could often be spotted off the...

R.I. wants more say on Atlantic fisheries

Government 04/11/2025

Rhode Island punches above its weight when it comes to its fishing industry, landing more than $80 million of seafood annually, and some local...

CLEAN SHORELINE: Volunteers and members of Save The Bay Inc. participate in a shoreline cleanup event at Colt State Park in Bristol. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

RIPPLE EFFECTS: As Narragansett Bay gets cleaner, economic outcomes remain murky

Cover Story 11/10/2023

Talk to anyone who lives in Rhode Island, and it’s likely they could tell you a story connected to Narragansett Bay, says Mike Jarbeau,...

GROWTH POTENTIAL: Roger Williams University shellfish researchers, from left, assistant professor Hisham Abdelrahman, field operations manager Susanna Osinski and assistant Kristen Savastano, check aquaculture equipment near the school’s Bristol campus.  PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Cleaner bay can help boost the state’s blue economy

Editorial and Op-Ed 11/10/2023

The state says Narragansett Bay is the cleanest it has been in 150 years. For those who live around the bay and enjoy it...

SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS between the developer for the Revolution Wind project and Rhode Island fishermen over the installation of power cables in the fishing grounds off the Rhode Island coast may be the model on how to resolve future disputes as more offshore wind projects seek approvals. / SOURCE: R.I. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT / PBN GRAPHIC/ANNE EWING

Is this a path to peace between offshore wind, fishermen?

Economy 12/23/2022

Fishermen and offshore wind developers say a recent agreement over the installation of undersea cables for the 100-turbine Revolution Wind project marks a turning...

ON COURSE: Daniel Costa, Port of Galilee manager for the R.I. Department of Environmental Management, examines the improvements being made along the commercial waterfront at the port.  PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Galilee port overhaul drawing new business

Focus 10/28/2022

Jon Williams knew the moment he visited the Port of Galilee that this was a “logistically perfect” location for his crab business. The owner of...

Coastal regulators look to standardize wind farm compensation deals to avoid...

Government 06/21/2021

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Could a formula be the key to solving disputes over how much major wind farm developers owe to local fishermen? After a...

Amid negotiations, R.I. fishing industry remains concerned over offshore wind impact,...

Economic Activity 05/07/2021

PROVIDENCE - What is the price of loss of livelihood? This question is at the center of negotiations between local fishing industry representatives and offshore...

CAUTION SIGNAL: Fred Mattera, executive director of the Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island, warns of the potential for loss of life and loss of vessels because the 1-mile-wide transit lanes allocated for traveling around wind turbines don’t provide enough room to safely maneuver vessels in high winds and storms when visibility is low. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

POWERING UP: Offshore wind sector gains momentum despite pandemic

Coronavirus 08/07/2020

Stark white walls, blank computer screens and empty desk chairs weren’t what the executives at Denmark-based wind-energy firm Orsted had in mind when they...