Rhode Island General Laws Title 20. Fish and Wildlife § 20-3-4. Shellfish and marine life management areas

The council may recommend to the director of environmental management, the designation of certain portions of the shores of the public waters of the state, or land within the state covered by tidewater at either high or low tide, or portions of the free and common fisheries of the state as shellfish or marine life project management areas for the purpose of enhancing the cultivation and growth of marine species; managing the harvest of marine species; facilitating the conduct by the department of experiments in planting, cultivating, propagating, managing, and developing any and all kinds of marine life; and any other related purpose. The designation shall be pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 35 of title 42, and shall be by reference to fixed landmarks. The council, upon the designation of a management area, shall propose any rules and regulations as it shall deem necessary for the protection and management of the management area and the animal life and property in the management area, including the exclusion or restriction of persons from the area or the prohibition of certain activities within the areas or other restrictions as it may deem necessary. Upon the designation of a management area, the director of environmental management shall place any stakes, bounds, buoys, or markers with the words “Rhode Island department of environmental management” plainly marked on them, as will approximate the management area. Failure to place or maintain the stakes, bounds, buoys, or markers shall not be admissible in any judicial or administrative proceeding. The director may make any experiments or conduct any activities as in his or her discretion are appropriate in these management areas.