This document summarizes the history of shellfish aquaculture in Rhode Island from the 17th century to present day. It discusses how the shellfish industry developed over time, reaching its peak in the early 1900s with over 21,000 acres of oyster farms before declining in the mid-1900s due to increased sewage and lack of environmental protections. It also outlines how decades of investment in clean water infrastructure and regulations have supported the renewal of shellfish aquaculture in Rhode Island with over 50 farms and 172 acres leased currently.