§ 20-10-1. Declaration of intent and public policy.
Whereas, R.I. Const., Art. I, Sec. 17, guarantees to the people the right to enjoy and freely exercise all rights of fishery,
and imposes on the general assembly the responsibility to provide for the conservation
of water, plant, and animal resources of the state; and
Whereas, it is in the best public interest of the people and the state that the land
and waters of the state, are utilized properly and effectively to produce plant and
animal life; and
Whereas, the process of aquaculture is a proper and effective method to cultivate
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§ 20-10-1. Declaration of intent and public policy.
Whereas, R.I. Const., Art. I, Sec. 17, guarantees to the people the right to enjoy and freely exercise all rights of fishery,
and imposes on the general assembly the responsibility to provide for the conservation
of water, plant, and animal resources of the state; and
Whereas, it is in the best public interest of the people and the state that the land
and waters of the state, are utilized properly and effectively to produce plant and
animal life; and
Whereas, the process of aquaculture is a proper and effective method to cultivate
plant and animal life; and
Whereas, the process of aquaculture should only be conducted within the waters of
the state in a manner consistent with the best public interest, with particular consideration
given to the effect of aquaculture on other uses of the free and common fishery and
navigation, and the compatibility of aquaculture with the environment of the waters
of the state; therefore,
It is the public policy of this state to preserve the waters of this state as free
and common fishery. The health, welfare, environment, and general wellbeing of the
people of the state require that the state restrict the uses of its waters and the
land thereunder for aquaculture and, in the exercise of the police power, the waters
of the state and land thereunder are to be regulated under this chapter.