Massachusetts Aquaculture Grants Program FY01; Project summaries and funding recommendations
S.J. Soares, March 4, 2001

Five responsive proposals were selected from among the six that were submitted to the FY01 Massachusetts Aquaculture Grants Program. Proposals were selected to receive full or partial funding based upon evaluations provided by the procurement management team (PMT) (summary attached), recommendations also provided by the (PMT), funding that proposed projects may have received from other programs and the proposed budget vs. the project intent. The following provides a summary for each project and recommended funding levels.

1. Martha's Vineyard Aqua-tourism -
Proposed by the Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group Inc. This project aims to increase public awareness about shellfish aquaculture through activities associated with shellfish grower participation with popular commercial tours of the Martha's Vineyard water ways. Funding will provide compensation for grower participation and advertisement of tours through signage, media outlets and web page publishing. Ultimately, it is hoped that increased tour business that results from shellfish grower participation will encourage tour operator support of grower participation. Recommended funding level: $7,335.00 Photos

2. Public Education of Upweller Technology -
Proposed by the Town of Oaks Bluff Shellfish Department. This project will purchase and demonstrate an axial flow upweller in effort to educate local official and public that have been reluctant to allow private shellfish growers to implement this technology. Project activities will rely on a collaborative effort between the Town's shellfish department and two private Oak Bluffs shellfish grower's. This project has the potential to increase public shellfish aquaculture in Oak Bluffs, expansion of shellfish aquaculture and enhanced public awareness regarding shellfish aquaculture. Recommended funding level: $6,950.00

3. Oyster Long Line Farming System -
Proposed by Ron Buck, a Wellfleet shellfish grower. This project will examine the economic feasibility of a new technology, SEAPA Oyster Baskets suspended from a horizontal line, for grow out of American oysters. This project will also provide a comparison of this new grow out technology to the "industry standard" bag and rack system that is currently employed. A collaboration of four oyster growers will conduct the work proposed for this project. The implementation of new grow out technology could increase oyster production and improve production efficiency thereby providing an opportunity for improved profitability for oyster production facilities. Recommended funding level: $11,660.00 Photos

4. The Shellfish Cooperative Demonstration Project -
Proposed by Messrs. Les Hemila, Wayne Hayes, Jack Kelley and Carl Syriala, four Barnstable shellfish growers. Project aimed at the documentation and development of a HACCP approved processing facility for cooperative use by independent shellfish growers. This project requested $23,550 but received $20,000 funding from the DFA Agro-Environmental Technology Grants Program (AET). PMT agreed that in light of the current regulatory conditions regarding the sale of shellfish, this concept provides an improved marketing opportunity for independent growers that would not be able to afford construction of a HACCP certified facility. In light of the funding provided by AET, Recommended funding level: $3,550.00

5. Soft -Shell Clam Aquaculture -
Proposed by Messrs. Evan Parker and Anthony Murawski who are currently securing permits for soft-shell clam culture in Ipswich. Many of the PMT members view this project as the next logical step for the development and establishment of commercial shellfish aquaculture activity in the north shore region of Massachusetts. However, as the project proposes to develop a demonstration project, proposed project scale can be halved and should still provide the basis for determining the feasibility of this effort. Recommendation that the proposal also be submitted to the Northeastern Massachusetts Aquaculture Center for supplemental funding. Recommended funding level: $3,250.00

Total Funding FY01: $32,745.00

Massachusetts Aquaculture Grants Program FY01

Agro-Tech Grants

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