§ 9-140. Shellfish licenses

The shellfish commission, the town clerk, the harbors dept., N.S.P.D. and such other persons as may be designated by the town council are empowered and authorized to issue shellfish licenses, as follows:

(1) Commercial. An applicant for a commercial shellfish license, or a renewal thereof, shall have maintained a principal residence within the town continuously for no less than 12 consecutive months prior to the date of application or renewal. The annual fee for this license is on file in the town clerk's office. Applicants must hold a valid state commercial shellfish license with an appropriate shellfish endorsement, or multipurpose commercial license. Applications shall be made to the shellfish commission, who will then recommend action to the town council together with proof of residence. The maximum number of Block Island commercial shellfish licenses to be sold in a given year (January 1 through December 31) shall not exceed 20 and no more than one Block Island nonresidential commercial shellfish license shall be issued. All said licenses are nontransferable. Commercial licenses shall be for a period of one year, January 1 through December 31. Any existing license not renewed by the town council prior to January 1 of each year, and not issued by the town clerk in exchange for receipt of the required fee prior to February 1 of each year shall be forfeited.

(2) Taxpayer and/or resident. An applicant for a taxpayer and/or resident shellfish license, or renewal thereof, shall be a person who is a real estate taxpayer and/or resident. Taxpayer and/or resident licenses shall be for a period of one year; May 16 through May 15 of each year. The fee for this license is on file in the town clerk's office. Shellfish taken under this license cannot be offered for sale or trade.

(3) Combined total licenses not to exceed cap; exception. The combined total sale of the weekly, monthly and seasonal (this does not apply to town residents) shellfish licenses shall not exceed the cap set forth by the town council. The cap is based on the recommendation of the shellfish commission. The cap will be kept on file in the harbormaster's office.

(4) Seasonal (summer). Any person may obtain a seasonal license valid during the period May 16 through October 15 of each year. The fee for this license is on file in the town clerk's office. This license is offered on a weekly, monthly and seasonal basis. Shellfish taken under this license cannot be offered for sale or trade.

(5) Golden license. Any person 65 years of age or older may obtain a golden shellfish license valid during the period May 16 through May 15 of each year. The license fee is one dollar and must be renewed annually. Shellfish taken under this license cannot be offered for sale or trade.

(6) Golden commercial license. The town council may, at its will, issue this license to any person 65 years of age or over. This person must meet all requirements as described in subsection (a)(1) of this section, pertaining to commercial shellfish licenses.

(b) The shellfish commission shall recommend to the town council the maximum number of licenses to be issued.

(Rev. Ords. 1989, § 9-140; Ord. of 6-18-1997, § 9-140; Ord. of 2-16-2000, § 9-140; Ord. of 6-20-2005; Ord. of 3-7-2011, § 9-140; Amd. of 6-4-2012)

refcross

Licenses and business regulations, ch. 8.

refeditor

Amd. of June 4, 2012, changed the title of § 9-140 from issuance of shellfish licenses; license categories; fee; term to shellfish licenses.