Resources for municipal leaders and others to better understand aquaculture and the process in RI
We’d love to hear from you and learn what other resources we can provide to coastal towns. If you have any recommendations, please contact Rob Hudson.
RI ShellfAST - A mapping tool to help prospective growers and others select a possible location for an aquaculture lease.
Diagram of the process to permit aquaculture in RI
Notes and Presentations from 2019 Municipal Training by Growers
RI 5% Rule background and resources (from 2016)
Report: State by State Summary of Aquaculture Leasing/Permitting Requirements (2021) Note: Rhode Island starts on page 250
Narragansett Bay SAMP: The CRMC Narragansett Bay Special Area Management Plan (Bay SAMP) initiative engages the public in the gathering, synthesizing and sharing of Bay science and best management practices for the purpose of updating state policy to guide Rhode Island’s use and management of Bay resources and activities. The initial focus of the Bay SAMP is to develop policy and standards for the siting of submerged cables within state waters for offshore renewable energy development, and to guide and manage aquaculture projects within Narragansett Bay and the Sakonnet River. The Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) is undertaking this long-range planning effort to respond to its primary responsibility of preserving, protecting, developing, and where possible restoring coastal areas of the state.
AquaTrain Modules - This is a completely online program designed for farm workers. You can signup for the Non-Certificate version of the program .
Aquaculture in Rhode Island happens in different ways using different gear and growing methods. It is helpful, as aquaculture grows, to understand how shellfish is grown, what the gear looks like, and other details that can allow towns, communities, and the industry to interact in safe and conflict-free ways. The following modules are excerpts from an online entry-level farm worker training program, created through a partnership of CRC/RISG/URI, Education Exchange, the Ocean State Aquaculture Association, and Dr. Robert Rheault. The online course is administered by the Education Exchange in Peacedale, RI through Teachables.com and taught by Dr. Robert Rheault.
FAQs
Can I traverse an aquaculture lease in my boat or kayak? Can I swim in aquaculture leases?
Generally, the public can navigate, swim through, and fish within an aquaculture site (at their own risk). They cannot interfere with farm operations, the crop, or any associated gear which is the personal property of the leaseholder.
Can I shellfish in an aquaculture lease?
All wild shellfish within a lease area will remain the property of the State of Rhode Island and remain in place for the benefit of the public resource. This resource is not to be harvested by any person for commercial or recreational purposes.
***You can also checkout the CRMC Aquaculture FAQ ***