R.I. Gen. Laws § 20-3.1-6: Information systems and data collection.

The department, in consultation with the council, shall develop and implement for license renewals for the year beginning January 1, 2003, an electronic license system for commercial fishing licenses, which licensing system shall have the capacity to incorporate data on landings by species and effort and shall provide for electronic license renewal. The licensing system shall be designed so that appropriate confidentiality for individual license holders is maintained and data analysis for fisheries management purposes is facilitated.