1. 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

2. 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 ( )
State Lobster Hatchery at Wickford ( )

3. 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

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

5. 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)

6. RI Commission on Inland Fisheries/ Dept
RI Commission on Inland Fisheries/ Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Lobster Hatchery

7. Early Aquaculture Extension in Rhode Island
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”
Cooperation with RI Commission on Inland Fisheries on lobster spawning and nutrition at state lobster hatchery 1898
Formal establishment of Extension Department at RI College of Agriculture & Mechanical Arts (now URI)
1914 – Smith-Lever Act establishing Cooperative Extension

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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. Legislative Actions
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
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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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.