The wetlands are needed – here’s why

When I was a young man, I had no idea of the importance of wetlands. To me they often looked like soggy swamps, not good for much. But now, I know they are essential.

Last week NOAA Fisheries reminded me just how essential wetlands are with a “5 Reasons Why We Love Wetlands” article, which defined wetlands as marches, mangroves, swamps and floodplains.

NOAA said, “Wetlands serve as habitat for fish we eat, protect coastal communities from storms, and help filter pollution out of our water.”  However, wetlands are disappearing due to sea level rise and erosion, land subsidence, and development.

For example, since the 1930s, Louisiana has lost more than 2,000 square miles of wetland. NOAA said, “Our office of Habitat Conservation works with partners to protect and restore habitats so they can continue to provide economic and ecological benefits.”  Here are NOAA’s top reasons to support wetlands:

Wetlands support sustainable seafood in our region, bringing fish like striped bass up our rivers and estuaries in the spring as they follow Atlantic menhaden and herring up our rivers to spawn. They also support the spawning and growing of the quahogs we love to eat in Rhode Island and Massachusetts in chowder, stuffed quahogs, littlenecks and more. Many fish spend all or part of their lives in wetlands.

“Coastal wetlands are crucial for healthy estuaries, which generate nearly 70 percent of the United States’ commercial fish catch and 80 percent of the recreational catch,” said NOAA.

Wetlands boost our economy. Tourism and recreation in coastal areas (including wetlands) contribute $143 billion to the national economy each year. They provide habitat for fish species, support jobs, industries, and economic activity. They provide beautiful landscapes where we can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, birdwatching, hiking, photography, and fishing.

In Rhode Island, employment derived from all ocean economic activities represent 8.9 percent of the total economy, generating a total of 42,811 jobs. In Massachusetts, it represents 2.5 percent of the total economy and 91,708 total jobs. So the ocean economy is vitally important to both states, according to NOAA’s 2021 Economics: National Ocean Watch (ENOW).

Wetlands provide homes for distinct species. From salmon to trout, striped bass and flounder and other fish in our area, wetlands provide a safe place for juveniles to feed and grow.

Wetlands protect communities from storms. With changes in ocean conditions, such as sea level rise and enhanced storms, wetlands act like a giant sponge, absorbing floods, and wave energy from storms. According to NOAA, “One acre of wetland can soak up as much as 1.5 million gallons of flood water — enough to cover a football field filled with more than four feet of water.”

And finally, wetlands keep our water clean. “Wetlands are often referred to as “nature’s kidneys,” filtering harmful pollution out of the water such as chemicals and nutrients from lawns (fertilizers) and road runoff that gets filtered before it reaches our rivers, bays and beaches.

To conserve wetlands, NOAA partners with tribes, local and state governments, other federal agencies, nonprofits and other organizations such as the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program and its river watch partners in Massachusetts and Rhode Island to initiate, fund and facilitate the wetland research and advocacy needed to rebuild and maintain wetlands.

Wetlands are good for fish, fishers and the entire community.  Moving forward we need to continue to fund NOAA and its wetland and habitat partners to preserve our fisheries and economy.

Cleaning up old fishing gear to save fish

Last week, Massachusetts announced new state regulations to clean up fishing gear debris to protect marine biodiversity and public safety.

The new law was developed by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), with input from the fishing industry, conservation organizations, law enforcement, and municipal leaders.

The new regulations will streamline the timely and efficient removal of derelict fishing gear, while continuing to protect functional fishing gear and minimizing conflicts on the water. The new regulations took effect Jan. 30. 

“Fishing gear debris—which is defined as gear that is not intact, does not function as intended, or is set during a closed season—harms marine life and creates safety hazards for fishers, boaters, and beachgoers,” said the Healey-Driscoll Administration in a media advisory last week. “Lost or abandoned gear can ghost fish, or continue to catch and kill marine life, and pose entanglement risks for endangered marine mammals and sea turtles. Additionally, it creates significant hazards for mariners, commercial fishers, and beachgoers by impeding navigation, creating conflicts, and posing risks to public safety.”  

Right whale slow zones

On Feb. 5, 2026, the New England Aquarium aerial survey team detected the presence of right whales south of Nantucket, Mass. The right whale Slow Zone is in effect through Feb. 20.

And on Feb. 3, the Gulf of Maine Fall Slocum glider operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution detected the presence of right whales east of Cape Cod, Mass. The right whale Slow Zone is in effect through Feb. 18.

As a reminder, three additional Slow Zones are also currently in effect.

Mariners are requested to avoid or transit at 10 knots or less inside the following Dynamic Management Areas and Slow Zones where endangered right whales have been detected. Vessel strikes are one of the primary causes of injury and death for right whales. Slower speeds are known to avoid or reduce the severity of impacts to whales when strikes occur.

For information visit NOAA’s website at Reducing Vessel Strikes to North Atlantic Right Whales | NOAA Fisheries.

Where’s the bite?

Freshwater ice fishing is the only fishing occurring. Check with local cities and towns to find out if ice is safe to fish or skate on. For license and trout stocking information in Rhode Island visit www.dem.ri.gov/fishing; and in Massachusetts visit www.mass.gov/service-details/trout-stocking-report.

Dave Monti holds a captain’s master license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business focusing on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy, and fisheries related issues. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verizon.net, visit www.noflukefishing.blogspot.com or www.noflukefishing.com .