Rhode Island's Quahog Industry at a Crossroads

Efforts to clean Narragansett Bay and climate change pose new challenges for the state's shellfishing industry.

Rhode Island's quahog industry faces challenges due to pollution, climate change, and aging workforce.
The lower Providence River, once closed for 75 years due to pollution, now supports a significant portion of the state's quahog harvest.
Efforts to clean Narragansett Bay, including a $1.7 billion sewer project, have improved water quality but may impact quahog populations.
Proposals to adjust nitrogen levels in the Bay to support quahog reproduction are under consideration.
The future of the quahog industry in Rhode Island remains uncertain, with calls for more research and potential policy adjustments.