We’ve turned the page to September, and bonito and false albacore are now surging into Rhode Island waters. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) continues to monitor these species in an effort to learn more about our highly-anticipated autumn visitors and their local populations. To pull this off, they need your help!
With the first catches of Atlantic bonito for 2026 already reported and albies arriving as you’re reading this, hardtail season is off and running. Building on a pilot project launched in 2025, the RI Division of Marine Fisheries is ramping up one of the largest citizen science initiatives the State has ever instituted. The goal is simple: gather length and population data on albies and Atlantic bonito to supplement current research. Since Rhode Island sees so many anglers fishing for these species every day, the dots connected themselves; who better to help gather this data than the anglers who dedicate their fall run to catching them?
Through a partnership with the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA), the State is distributing hundreds of plastic measurement cards to volunteer fishermen across the region. This clever system gives scientists a cheap and effective way to measure fish directly from photos. By placing the state-issued plastic card against the side of your catch before snapping a photo, DEM biologists can use digital imaging software to scale the card against the fish and calculate precise length measurements.
Participating couldn’t be easier whether you fish from shore, a kayak, or a center console. RIDEM is calling on Rhody’s vast network of dedicated recreational anglers and charter captains to submit one clear image per fish. Along with the photo, they ask that anglers share a few quick details: the general catch location, date, fishing mode, and whether the fish was released or harvested.
While these tiny tuna range through local waters from late May through October, we are entering a peak fall window when the bulk of the data collection takes place. Images can be submitted via the online form at https://forms.gle/RKMrUBHmva61BXBG8 or emailed directly to DEM.AlbiesBonito@dem.ri.gov. To get your hands on a volunteer card and jump into the study, email the team at DEM.AlbiesBonito@dem.ri.gov or call 401-423-1932. For project details, visit http://dem.ri.gov/albie_bonito or contact project lead Reuben Macfarlan at reuben.macfarlan@dem.ri.gov.
