Why Develop a Plan for Aquaculture in Massachusetts?

Aquaculture offers tremendous opportunities for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, especially during a time when the state's fishing industry has been so hard hit by reductions in groundfish stocks. This growth industry can provide jobs that are much needed in the seafood sector of the economy. In addition, aquaculture represents a sustainable economic use of our coastal resources -- which means that aquaculture activities can be continued into the future, providing economic opportunity without depleting non-renewable resources.

With our wealth of diverse marine and freshwater resources, world class research institutions, concentration of marine technology firms, and strategic location to serve one of the world's largest seafood markets, Massachusetts is a natural place for extensive aquaculture. Up to this time, however, the full opportunities provided by aquaculture have not been seized upon, largely due to a number of regulatory barriers. Now is the time to develop a plan to remove these regulatory barriers so that the future of aquaculture in the Commonwealth can be secured.

The Aquaculture Strategic Plan explains where we are now and where we are going with aquaculture in Massachusetts. It is the tool that is needed to form a framework to support aquacultural activity, both private and public, and to encourage the growth of this industry during a critical stage of development.

Who Developed the Plan?

The plan was developed by three working groups: the Environmental Review Working Group, the Regulatory Reform Working Group, and Economic Development Working Group. These working groups were brought together by the Secretary of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Trudy Coxe, at the request of Governor William F. Weld. These groups are made up of specialists in different aspects of aquaculture and resource management and have been overseen by an Aquaculture Steering Committee, led by Undersecretary of Environmental Affairs Leo Pierre Roy.

When Will the Recommendations Be Implemented?

The Aquaculture Strategic Plan has a five year horizon, concluding in the year 2000. The Plan proposes a series of both short and long-term recommendations. The short-term actions will not require any changes in legislation or regulations and include projects that can be implemented utilizing existing or reprogrammed resources. Many of these short-term recommendations also require no funding, only redirected staff attention or policy change. The long-term recommendations require either legislative action, regulatory change, or significant financial appropriations. Now is the time, however, to begin the process so that these recommendations can be implemented by the turn of the century.

What Does the Plan Include?

The Aquaculture Strategic Plan includes 68 specific recommendations for the State to implement to overcome existing constraints and take advantage of opportunities in the aquaculture industry. Of these 68 recommendations, the following were identified as priorities for action:

• Initiate regulatory streamlining recommendations.

• Establish an interagency Aquaculture Coordination Team (ACT) to oversee implementation of Strategic Plan and to guide State aquaculture activities.

• Establish an Aquaculture Coordinator position to serve as a single point of entry for all existing and prospective aquaculturists. The Coordinator will lead ACT and provide the link between all State agency activities relating to aquaculture, both regulatory and promotional. Additionally, the Coordinator will be charged with spearheading the implementation of this Plan.

• Establish a broad-based Aquaculture Advisory Group to advise ACT on issues of concern.

• Direct all aquaculture related bond appropriations toward priorities identified in the Strategic Plan.

• Work with municipal officials, the Department of Marine Fisheries, and shellfish aquaculturists to improve and standardize the administration of shellfish licenses to improve the prospects for obtaining financing for aquaculture ventures.

  These and the other recommendations are explained in detail throughout the plan, which is broken down into the following chapters:

  • Chapter I defines aquaculture, characterizes the size and potential for the industry in Massachusetts, and justifies why the State should actively encourage aquaculture.

  • Chapter II outlines the priority overarching recommendations of the Plan and includes the proposed agency framework.

  • Chapter III summarizes specific steps to streamline aquaculture permitting.

  • Chapter IV includes the recommendations for promoting the economic development of aquaculture.

  • Chapter V details a recommended approach for siting and monitoring the environmental impacts resulting from aquaculture.

  • Chapter VI summarizes the report and lists all the recommendations.

  • A glossary lists all acronyms utilized in the Stratgetic Plan.

  Click here to go back to the Table of Contents for The Massachusetts Aquaculture Strategic Plan

  Published: September 1995