Rhode Island Senate Bill S0643

Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/7/25

Caption

Creates a shellfish hatchery program established by the department of environmental management to foster sustainable development and resiliency of the state's shellfish industry.

Impact

The program is to be managed by a nonprofit organization selected through a bidding process, promoting collaboration between governmental and private sectors in achieving public benefits within the shellfish industry. The hatchery will have a significant production capacity, set at 500 million shellfish annually, aimed to replenish decreasing wild stocks and support sustainable fishing practices. By establishing a restricted receipt account, the program intends to secure funding for its operational needs over a ten-year period, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Summary

Bill S0643 aims to establish a shellfish hatchery program within the Department of Environmental Management to enhance the sustainability and resilience of Rhode Island's shellfish industry. This initiative is designed to foster the development of a critical sector of the state's economy by increasing the production of shellfish species including quahogs, clams, scallops, and oysters. The bill emphasizes the necessity of a structured approach to manage and nurture shellfish populations, which have historically been vital to local fisheries and economies.

Contention

One potential point of contention is the funding mechanism for the hatchery program, which includes a fee per shellfish piece sold by licensed dealers to sustain the initiative. This fee, which is expected to be implemented three years after the first year's production, may impose additional financial burdens on local shellfish dealers. Additionally, the proposal to monitor nitrogen levels in shellfish harvest areas to maintain ecological balance aligns with state environmental objectives but might also introduce regulatory challenges for shellfish harvesters. Overall, the bill appears aimed at balancing economic interests with environmental sustainability.