AN ACT RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE -- LICENSING

HB 6157 creates a new commercial fishing license for Rhode Island residents to harvest invasive green crabs (Carcinus maenas) at a $10 annual fee. The bill authorizes residents to legally remove this invasive species, which threatens local ecosystems, and allows the director to establish regulations for the license. This policy directly affects Rhode Island residents seeking to commercially target green crabs as a management tool, with the license taking effect January 1, 2026.