If you are a current grower in Rhode Island, you are required to follow certain rules and reporting to maintain an active aquaculture lease. You should also be upholding Best Management Practices for Aquaculture and consider becoming a member or renewing your dues to your local and regional aquaculture associations.

The following are other requirements and considerations:

• Permit Renewal(Annual Lease Payment): CRMC will send aquaculture lease holders a letter and annual reporting form at the end of each calendar year. The completed form and lease fees are due in January of each year.

• Modification of Assent: If you plan changes to the species you plan to cultivate, the gear you use, or other changes in your operations plan, you will need to submit a Modification of Assent. Reach out to CRMC to schedule an informal scoping session with CRMC and DEM to discuss any potential issues.

• Expansion/Reconfiguration: If you plan to expand the boundaries of your lease or reconfigure the boundaries of your lease, you must contact CRMC about your plans. There may be additional forms and meetings involved. Application for areas previously not under lease must follow the same process as application for new commercial leases, including PD and review by DEM and MFC. Permittees must first demonstrate that they are fully utilizing an existing lease area to be eligible for an expansion as part of a preliminary determination application.

• Reporting Requirements: As of January 2020, all growers are required to report their harvest through the Standard Atlantic Fisheries Information System (SAFIS). Contact Coly Ares at RI DEM (Nichole.Ares@dem.ri.gov) to set up an account and with any questions. Additionally, all growers are required to answer all applicable sections of the annual questionnaire included with the letter for annual lease payment.