Regulatory streamlining has often been cited as an effort that is crucial for continued, efficient development of aquaculture in the United States. Similarly, the Massachusetts Aquaculture White Paper and Strategic Plan recognized the need for streamlining the regulatory process in order to facilitate industry expansion. To that end a variety of recommendations aimed at providing permit assistance and simplifying the permit process were among the priority recommendations identified by the Plan.

With the above in mind a number of steps have been taken in effort to facilitate the permiting of aquaculture facilities in Massachusetts. As a first step toward streamlining the permit process for aquaculture enterprises the Massachusetts Aquaculture Permits Guidance Document was created. Through the efforts of the Permit Streamlining Sub-Committee of the Massachusetts Aquaculture Advisory Group, it was determined that in order to examine how the permit process could be streamlined all permits that may be applicable for any activity associated with any form of aquaculture must be identified. To that end, the Guidance Document identified and defined all permits and regulatory authority in Massachusetts in accordance with four primary areas of regulatory concern; species to be cultivated, structures may be employed, water source, water/waste discharge. The Guidance Document also includes a checklist that can assist in identifying all permits that may be applicable for any aquaculture facility proposed for Massachusetts.

The Proposed Operation Overview Format was generated in effort to define how the information about a facility proposed for Massachusetts should be reported to the potential regulatory agencies (ideally those agencies identified through the Guidance Document). The Overview Format provides instructions to potential applicants for the development of proposals that enable the streamlined project review.

The Aquaculture Operation Description Form is a two-page "fill in the blank" form that, once completed, provides a snap shot description of the proposed project. The Description Form should be the starting place for the permitting of any aquaculture operation in Massachusetts. Following submittal of the completed form to the Department of Food and Agriculture Aquaculture Coordinator’s Office the proponent is either directed to the appropriate regulatory agency for permit application materials or interviewed for the scheduling of a pre-permit application meeting that includes representatives from all appropriate regulatory agencies.

More information about the permit process for aquaculture operations can be found through the \Aquaculture Coordinator’s Office.


White Paper Strategic Plan Industry Permit Assitance Technical Assistance Marketing Aquaculture Education Legislative Projects Grants Program Shellfish & Finfish	Aquaculture Permit Assistance/Regulatory Streamlining Regulatory streamlining has often been cited as an effort that is crucial for continued, efficient development of aquaculture in the United States. Similarly, the Massachusetts Aquaculture White Paper and Strategic Plan recognized the need for streamlining the regulatory process in order to facilitate industry expansion. To that end a variety of recommendations aimed at providing permit assistance and simplifying the permit process were among the priority recommendations identified by the Plan. With the above in mind a number of steps have been taken in effort to facilitate the permiting of aquaculture facilities in Massachusetts. As a first step toward streamlining the permit process for aquaculture enterprises the Massachusetts Aquaculture Permits Guidance Document was created. Through the efforts of the Permit Streamlining Sub-Committee of the Massachusetts Aquaculture Advisory Group, it was determined that in order to examine how the permit process could be streamlined all permits that may be applicable for any activity associated with any form of aquaculture must be identified. To that end, the Guidance Document identified and defined all permits and regulatory authority in Massachusetts in accordance with four primary areas of regulatory concern; species to be cultivated, structures may be employed, water source, water/waste discharge. The Guidance Document also includes a checklist that can assist in identifying all permits that may be applicable for any aquaculture facility proposed for Massachusetts. The Proposed Operation Overview Format was generated in effort to define how the information about a facility proposed for Massachusetts should be reported to the potential regulatory agencies (ideally those agencies identified through the Guidance Document). The Overview Format provides instructions to potential applicants for the development of proposals that enable the streamlined project review. The Aquaculture Operation Description Form is a two-page "fill in the blank" form that, once completed, provides a snap shot description of the proposed project. The Description Form should be the starting place for the permitting of any aquaculture operation in Massachusetts. Following submittal of the completed form to the Department of Food and Agriculture Aquaculture Coordinator’s Office the proponent is either directed to the appropriate regulatory agency for permit application materials or interviewed for the scheduling of a pre-permit application meeting that includes representatives from all appropriate regulatory agencies. More information about the permit process for aquaculture operations can be found through the \Aquaculture Coordinator’s Office.