The shellfish population in the waters off Rhode Island is declining, and business owners say their livelihoods are threatened.
Fishermen report that shellfish are not returning to their usual grounds this year, and that has forced markets to order products from other states.
They further note that plankton, which shellfish feed off, has not bloomed this year.
A special legislative commission held a hearing Tuesday on the matter and heard of potential issues, including predators, lack of available food, harvesting practices, and warmer temperatures due to climate change.
(Photo by PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo: PHILIPPE LOPEZ / AFP / Getty Images