Rhode Island § 20-38-4 - The Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative of 2011

§ 20-38-4. Collaborative established.

(a) There is hereby created a collaborative known as “The Rhode Island seafood marketing collaborative” consisting of nineteen (19) members as follows:

(1) The director of the department of environmental management, or his or her designee, who shall serve as chairperson;

(2) The chief executive officer of the commerce corporation, or his or her designee;

(3) The chief of the division of marine fisheries of the department of environmental management, or his or her designee;

(4) The director of the department of health, or his or her designee;

(5) The chief of the division of agriculture of the department of environmental management, or his or her designee;

(6) The executive director of the coastal resources management council, or his or her designee;

(7) The director of administration, or his or her designee;

(8) The dean of the university of Rhode Island college of environment and life sciences, or his or her designee;

(9) The director of the Rhode Island sea grant program, or his or her designee; and

(10) Ten (10) additional members, each of whom shall be appointed by the director of the department of environmental management, in accordance with the following categories:

(i) Two (2) Rhode Island-based dealers/wholesalers/processors who purchase and sell finfish, shellfish, and/or crustaceans;

(ii) Two (2) commercial aquaculturists;

(iii) A Rhode Island-based retailer of seafood products associated with a restaurant or restaurant organization;

(iv) A Rhode Island-based retailer of seafood products associated with an independent or franchised store;

(v) Two (2) commercial fishermen licensed to harvest and/or land in Rhode Island;

(vi) A member of an independent organization or association representing the Rhode Island hospitality industry;

(vii) An economist with expertise in seafood marketing.

(b) Forthwith upon the passage of this chapter, the members of the collaborative shall meet at the call of the chairperson and organize. Thereafter, the collaborative shall meet at the call of the chairperson or three (3) members of the collaborative.

(c) All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information, documentation, and otherwise to the collaborative and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the collaborative to facilitate the purposes of this chapter.

(d) The members of the collaborative shall receive no compensation for their services.