45 



Our philosophy is that for aquaculture to obtain increased support and realize its 

 potential for economic development, food production, and fisneries enhancement 

 more people must become involved. Traditionally, a major constraint for marine 

 aquaculture has been conflict of use for the waters and opposition to the private use 

 of public waters. Our program addresses this by involving the habitual opponents 

 ana benefiting the public. Fishermen (usually the most vocal opponents) are tar- 

 geted as clientele for the program. The decline of the fishing industry and fisher- 

 men's inherent skills provide a large, easily trained population ready to benefit from 

 aquaculture. The public benefits from increased natural fish populations, a new eco- 

 nomic base and improved water quality. (By necessity, marine aquaculture must 

 take place in areas of good water quality. In Nantucket we have improved our water 

 quality and are reclaiming lost habitat. The motivation to do so came from aqua- 

 culture and the desire to maintain our fisheries.) In addition, NREF's program al- 

 lows the private sector to get involved without the huge capital exf)€nses normally 

 involved. Indeed, we are presently working with a large private company that is in- 

 terested in a joint aquaculture venture with a Town. All in all, everyone is happy. 



We are excited about the present outlook for aquaculture. The administration's 

 emphasis on economic development, job training, and biosciences provides an excel- 

 lent opportunity. By including fisheries enhancement, water quality issues and, of 

 course, the potential for new jobs; NREF's program can lead the way for aqua- 

 culture. We would like to see a national program for aquaculture development. (Jon- 

 gressman Studds has indicated his interest in using the Nantucket program as a 

 model. Federal funding could be administered to Towns, or several communities to- 

 gether through an application procedure. This would be a one time cost, once up 

 and running the program could support itself. Regional hatcheries could be estab- 

 lished. Existing marine science institutions and universities could provide the nec- 

 essary technical expertise for research and development. 



We see a great potential in combining tourism and aquaculture/marine science. 

 NREF is presently proposing a facility for Plymouth, Massachusetts which would 

 combine three objectives: II An interactive marine science museum would provide 

 information and education on fisheries and aquaculture for students and the general 

 public; 2) A certified water quality testing laboratory would give the project the nec- 

 essary analytical ability; and 3) The main focus of the project would be a research 

 and d.evelopment facility for finfish aquaculture in the Northeast. The museum and 

 laboratory, combined with associated aquacultured seafood restaurant and gift shop, 

 would provide the necessary income to operate the R&D facility. 



We are also excited about the prospects of aquaculture for New Bedford and 

 Gloucester. Both com.munities are interested in developing aquaculture. Combining 

 town and private resources with federal development monies benefits all. The initial 

 development risks can be lowered with federal support, while the project can have 

 the advantage of sound business practices offered by private industry. Once the de- 

 velopment stage is over private capital can take over for commercial expansion. 



AQUACULTURE TRAINING PROGRAM 



The objectives of this program are (1) to expand the economic base of Nantucket 

 by allowing more commercial shellfishermen and other underemployed individuals 

 to fully support their families by the shellfish resource; (2) to train such persons in 

 hatchery aquaculture, field grow-out, and water quality analysis; (3) to provide Nan- 

 tucket with much needed labor for its propagation and water quality programs; (4) 

 to enhance natural sets of shellfish in Nantucket waters for both commercial and 

 recreational use; and (5) to establish aquaculture as a viable industry for Nantucket 

 and other coastal communities. 



a) Hatchery Aquaculture Training Session (12 weeks) instructs the participant in 

 all phases of hatchery aquaculture. Topics covered include sterile technique; water 

 filtration and disinfection; growth, culture and nutrition of algae; broodstock collec- 

 tion, acclimation and maturation; spawning; fertilization; larval rearing; setting lar- 

 vae; post-set incubation; disease. 



b) Water Quality Training Session (12 weeks) instructs the participant in all 

 phases of water quality monitoring. Topics covered include sample collection, trans- 

 port and preservation; microscopy; bacteriology; nutrient analysis; pesticides and 

 contaminants; point and non-point pollution sources; laboratory quality control. 



c) Field Aquaculture Training Session (16 weeks) instructs the participant in all 

 phases of field grow-out aquaculture. Topics covered include business start-up and 

 management; site selection; nursery operations; grow-out mechanisms (pens, cages, 

 nets, etc.) and operations; the grow-out environment; biofouling; predators and dis- 

 ease. 



