Getting started with aquaculture
Consider the following as you develop your aquaculture farm plans:
- Get to know your local shellfish constable and marine resource managers
- Learn how to choose a site
- Become familiar with public health considerations related to molluscan shellfish
- Learn about potential environmental effects
- Determine how to access your farm and store your gear
- Determine what gear you will use and where you will obtain seed
- Discover how to develop a business plan and sell your product
This is not meant to be an exhaustive resource for how to get started with aquaculture farming. Massachusetts has many organizations that can help a grower get started, including teacher-led classes. Please check the Resources for new growers section below for more information.
We also recommend new growers read through the Permitting Tool for a thorough review of the various considerations that will need to be spelled out in permitting documents.
Resources for new growers
- Workshops and classes through the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension
- Shellfish planting guidelines
- Shellfish classification areas
- Shellfish habitat assessment
- Approved shellfish seed hatchery
- Shellfish sanitation in Massachusetts
- Environmental monitoring
- Vibrio management
- Red Tide and harmful algae blooms
- Cape Cod Cooperative Extension publications
- Best management practices for shellfish culture in Massachusetts
- Shellfish disease and pathology testing
Helpful contacts
Southeastern Massachusetts Aquaculture Center
Josh Reitsma
Fisheries & Aquaculture Specialist, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension & Woods Hole Sea Grant
jreitsma@whoi.edu
(508) 375-6950
Abigail Archer
Fisheries & Aquaculture Specialist, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension & Woods Hole Sea Grant
aarcher@barnstablecounty.org
(508) 375-6702
Dr. Joe Buttner
Salem State University, north of Cape Cod, focuses on species other than oysters
joseph.buttner@salemstate.edu
(978) 542-6703
Sean Bowen
Aquaculture Specialist, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Aquaculture Program
This program generates appropriately targeted research, encourages workforce development, promotes public awareness, and cultivates potential aquaculturists. Note that this is a separate program from the DMF permitting program.
sean.bowen@mass.gov
(617) 626-1724
Site selection tools
It is advised that applicants meet with the local Shellfish Constable to discuss license site selection and resource areas prior to submitting a municipal license application. Please refer to the Permitting Tool Steps 1 and 2 for more information.
The following site selection and mapping tools can help determine specific resource areas adjacent to or within a proposed site.
If you would like more information on habitat selection for potential grow out or specific methods to grow shellfish please reach out to the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension or Dr. Joe Buttner (for northeastern Massachusetts) for guidance.
Municipal propagation
In Massachusetts, many towns conduct shellfish rearing activities in order to augment natural populations and provide recreational shellfishing opportunities for residents and visitors. Some towns also use shellfish as part of nutrient remediation experiments. These activities are distinct from aquaculture activities in that the shellfish grown are not sold for profit.
This page will be populated with more information specific to municipal propagation.
For more information about permitting, please visit the Permitting Tool.