An Overhaul of the Aquaculture Laws in Rhode Island Michael A. Rice RI Cooperative Extension & Dept. of Fisheries, Animal & Veterinary Sciences University of Rhode Island

Early History of Aquaculture in Rhode Island to 1950s Oyster Leases of late 19th and early 20th centuries (1860s-1952), peak 20,846 acres American Fish Culture Company--trout culture (1874-1994) State Lobster Hatchery at Wickford (1898-1949)

Oyster Aquaculture Leases and Fish Traps in Narragansett Bay 1910 Features about early oyster aquaculture in RI Peak 20,846 leased acres (1911) Peak production 1.4 million bushels live oysters & 1.3 million gallons of shucked meats (1908); worth >$500M in today’s dollars. “Mill Town” labor system similar to textile mills

RIDEM Fish Hatchery, Carolina RI ---est RIDEM Fish Hatchery, Carolina RI ---est. 1874 as American Fish Culture Company

Rowland Gibson Hazard (1823-1883) Peace Dale Mfg Company was family textile business Invested in Union Pacific Railroad Avid sportsfisherman Admired German accomplishments and brought them home to RI (Aniline Dyes, Kindergarten & Fish Farming)

RI Commission on Inland Fisheries/ Dept RI Commission on Inland Fisheries/ Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Lobster Hatchery 1898-1949

Early Aquaculture Extension in Rhode Island 1896 -- Establishment of marine biological station by Dr. G. W. Field of RIAES for “investigation of the cause of the decline of the oyster fisheries in Pt. Judith Pond” 1898 -- Cooperation with RI Commission on Inland Fisheries on lobster spawning and nutrition at state lobster hatchery 1898 1904 -- Formal establishment of Extension Department at RI College of Agriculture & Mechanical Arts (now URI) 1914 – Smith-Lever Act establishing Cooperative Extension

Point # 1: RI was an innovator in aquaculture, was major player & Extension was there in earliest days

Reasons for decline of RI aquaculture in 1930s-40s Increase raw sewage inputs Cumulative effects of continued soil erosion Increased metal finishing effluents Hurricane of 1938 Labor shortages during WWII Gov. T.F. Green’s ‘bloodless revolution’ of 1935 and associated socio-political changes 1952 – last farm Warren Oyster Company gave up leases

Reasons for lack of RI’s aquaculture growth 1950s-1990s Lingering pollution issues Rise of the tourism economy Suburbanization of coastal zone Capture fisheries issues Fear of return to “Mill Town” social system

Point #2: Socio-political milieu is at least as important as any other factor to grow or maintain aquaculture

Aquaculture Extension Efforts 1990s 1993 Incubator for formation of OSAA 1994 Publication of permitting manual 1995 Advice to Legislative Commission on Aquaculture 1995 First of annual RI aquaculture conferences w/ extension, private & legislative sponsorship

Legislative Actions 1996-2002 1996 ‘An Aquaculture Act’ creates aquaculture coordinator and lead agency 1998 strategic plan published by Legislative Commission on Aquaculture 1998 omnibus aquaculture bill (98-H8816) passing in parts 1999-2002 most remaining sections passing 2001 Securing federal appropriation for aquaculture planning Rep. Eileen S. Naughton of Warwick, author of nearly all RI aquaculture initiatives 1995-present

Overview of Statutory/Policy Changes 1996-2002 Affecting RI Aquaculture “One-stop” permitting with lead agency and Aquaculture Coordinator responsible for coordinating inter-agency review Recognition of aquaculture as a form of agriculture under tax codes Exemption of aquaculture livestock from all Fish and Game laws Multi-agency “Aquatic Biosecurity Board” Simplified leasing and water quality certification procedures

Current Status of Rhode Island Aquaculture   Current Status of Rhode Island Aquaculture Year Number of farms Total Acres Farmgate value (U.S. $) 1995 6 9 $83,518 1996 $91,499 1997 17 $275,946 1998 10 26 $296,980 1999 14 28 $213,861 2000 12 30 $314,977 2001 18 51.5 $299,998  

Final Points: 1) Regrowth of aquaculture in RI is robust 2) It has regained ‘legitimacy’ within RI’s social-political milieu 3) Key is recognition of value of extension education as advisory to both stakeholders and decision makers.