§ 20-10-12. Permits and licenses for the taking, possession, sale, importation, and transportation of species used in aquaculture.
(a) The director is authorized and empowered to grant permits for, issue licenses for, and establish rules and regulations governing the taking, possession, sale, importation, and transportation of animal or plant species utilized in aquaculture; provided, however, that in the case of bivalves, no approval shall be given for the sale, possession, use, storage, or transportation of those species for human consumption without the written approval and permission of the director of health.
(b) Any person who takes, possesses, imports, or transports any animal or plant species as delineated in subsection (a) without a permit issued by the director shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to imprisonment of not more than one year or a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500), or both. The animal or plant species possessed, imported, or transported by that person may be forfeited to the state.
(c) In accordance with rules and regulations established under this section, permits issued by the director may provide for specific exemptions, notwithstanding other provisions of law, from quotas, catch or bag limits, seasons, minimum-size limits and other such restrictions on commercial fishing as the director, in consultation with the council, may determine to be inappropriate to commercial aquaculture.
(d) Any person who is granted permits for the conduct of aquaculture by the CRMC and the director in accordance with this chapter shall obtain a commercial aquaculture license to sell aquaculture products in the state to licensed fish and shellfish dealers. The license shall be issued by the department on a calendar-year basis for an annual fee of two hundred dollars ($200).
History of Section.P.L. 1980, ch. 219, § 2; P.L. 2001, ch. 58, § 4; P.L. 2002, ch. 47, § 10.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Section 20-10-1. - Declaration of intent and public policy.
Section 20-10-1.1. - Creation of the biosecurity board.
Section 20-10-1.2. - Biosecurity board — Powers and duties.
Section 20-10-2. - Definitions.
Section 20-10-3. - Authority to grant permits for aquaculture.
Section 20-10-3.1. - Sales and use tax exemption.
Section 20-10-4. - Application for a permit to conduct aquaculture.
Section 20-10-5. - Procedures for approval.
Section 20-10-8. - Performance requirements — Bond.
Section 20-10-9. - Marking of areas subject to permit — Restrictions on public use.
Section 20-10-10. - Assignability of permits.
Section 20-10-11. - Regulations.
Section 20-10-13. - Cultivated plants or animals as property of the permittee.
Section 20-10-14. - Emergency closure of areas subject to permit.
Section 20-10-15. - Authority to enter and inspect.
Section 20-10-16. - Penalties.
Section 20-10-16.1. - License or permit suspension or revocation.
Section 20-10-17. - Arrest, seizure, and prosecution of violators.