§ 20-1-29. Trade in shark fins.
(a) For the purpose of this section:
(1) “Shark” means any species of the subclass Elasmobranchii; it does not include smooth dogfish (smooth hounds), spiny dogfish, or species in the suborder Batoidea;
(2) “Shark fin” means the raw, dried, or otherwise processed detached fin or the raw, dried, or otherwise processed detached tail of a shark.
(b) Except as provided in this section, no person shall possess, sell, offer for sale, trade, or distribute a shark fin.
(c) A person who holds a license or permit to take or land sharks may separate a shark fin from a lawfully landed shark during the ordinary course of preparing the body of the shark for consumption, sale, trade, or distribution; provided, however, that a shark fin so separated from the shark shall be immediately destroyed unless used by the person for the purposes of taxidermy and subsequent display.
(d) The director of the department of environmental management may issue a permit for the possession of a shark fin to a person conducting noncommercial, scientific research.
(e) Any shark fin seized by the director of the department of environmental management, or the director’s agents, through the enforcement of this section shall be destroyed.
(f) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred ($500) dollars, nor more than one thousand ($1,000) dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than ninety (90) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment; provided, however, that each shark fin possessed, sold, offered for sale, traded, or distributed in violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense. Provided further, a violation of this section by a person holding a commercial or recreational license or permit pursuant to this chapter shall result in the suspension or revocation of such license or permit.
History of Section.P.L. 2016, ch. 66, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 70, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 20-1 - General Provisions
Section 20-1-1. - Legislative findings.
Section 20-1-2. - Authority over fish and wildlife.
Section 20-1-3. - Definitions.
Section 20-1-4. - Rules and regulations.
Section 20-1-5. - General enforcement powers.
Section 20-1-5.1. - Advice of the marine fisheries council.
Section 20-1-6. - Appointment and delegation of powers to conservation officers.
Section 20-1-7. - Deputy wardens.
Section 20-1-8. - Enforcement powers of director and conservation officers.
Section 20-1-8.1. - Procedures for seizure and forfeiture.
Section 20-1-9. - Operation of patrol boats.
Section 20-1-10. - Obligation of vessels to heave-to on command of a patrol boat.
Section 20-1-11. - Prosecution of violations.
Section 20-1-12. - Fixing of seasons and bag limits.
Section 20-1-13. - Publication and effective date of seasons and bag limits.
Section 20-1-15. - Entry of private property.
Section 20-1-16. - Penalty for violations.
Section 20-1-17. - Cooperation with other states.
Section 20-1-18. - Collector’s permits.
Section 20-1-19. - Powers of enforcement of officers in waters between states.
Section 20-1-20. - Power to require reports.
Section 20-1-21. - General powers.
Section 20-1-22. - Severability.
Section 20-1-23. - [Reserved.]
Section 20-1-24. - Wildlife Damage Act.
Section 20-1-25. - Internet hunting.
Section 20-1-26. - Freshwater invasive aquatic plants — Prohibition on importation and possession.