R.I. Gen. Laws § 20-5-10: Exclusive right of permittee — Assignment of permit.

(a) The holder of any permit, or the holder’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors, or assigns shall have the exclusive right to fish the location by means of a fish trap, provided that the site is, and has been, actively fished.

(b) Any holder of a permit may, with the approval of the director of environmental management, transfer the permit to any suitable person. This approval shall be endorsed on the permit in order to become effective.