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Shellfish Update Sponsored by The Aquaculture Coaliton and MIT Sea Grant
Collegium New Bedford once landed 90% of the scallops sold in the United States. Today we import scallops in ever increasing amounts [13,877 MT Jan to July 1996 (+28% from 1995) for $85 million (up 38% from 1995)] Several other countries have faced these problems at a earlier time and developed both methods of cooperative enhancement and technological systems for cultivation to overcome them. The Food and Aquaculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has projected that aquaculture production must double over the 15 years just to meet global seafood needs. Between 1984 and 1992, world aquaculture production of fish and shellfish increased 107% from 6.7 million MT to 13.9 million MT and now accounts for 17% of global seafood harvests. The US now imports nearly $1.5 billion farm -raised seafood. Long line shellfishing in open ocean waters could reduce user conflicts along the shore and could employ fishermen, their boats and their skills to grow shellfish offshore. The problems of marine mammals, designated growing zones, and security for the growing fish could be met by our marine technology companies. We could grow the product our processors need. Why haven't we? Why don't we grow more? As a nascent industry, aquaculture faces far more scrutiny than older grandfathered practices that are more unsustainable and destructive to habitat . In Massachusetts, municipal home rule results in conflicting rules and regulations for the private growing of shellfish to three miles out. Beyond three miles, the federal government asserts its jurisdiction; yet, there is no policy or process on the federal level that actively encourages or expedites aquaculture in federal waters. Aquaculture facilities are subject to the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the New England Fisheries Management Council can regulate aquaculture facilities in the EEZ. What can the state government do to aid in the development of longline shellfishing and technology in state and federal waters? What can our congressional delegation do in a concerted fashion on the federal level to aid those who want to grow shellfish off our coast? Will the New England Management Fisheries Council adopt policies that will help or hinder new aquaculture ventures? The payoff could be big:
Long Line Shellfishing and Technology Workshop Goals:
Objectives:
Draft Program Introductions and Welcome: Opening Remarks: Background: Experience Elsewhere: Dr.Tom Sephton, confirmed Aquaculture Coordinator for Canada's Atlantic Zone [New Brunswick, PEI, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland] Technology in Long line Shellfishing. New Zealand's Experience and its 75 spin-off industries Neville Thompson keynote speaker confirmed After failure of the scallop fishery, processors and fishermen in New Zealand banded together to enhance certain areas designated by GPS on a three year rotation basis. Now using 1/5 the vessels, and 1/3 the area, they are enjoying record harvests every year. Using Japanese technology for longline cultivation and improving on it, , the NZ mussel industry now harvests 65,000 tons of green mussels/year. Spin-off industries now number close to 75 and have led to the development of long line oystering using subtidal tray culture systems. Let Me Do It in Massachusetts. Russell Charpentier, confirmed Northern Wind, grower, processor, global distributor This Massachusetts processor, shut out of Massachusetts waters was welcomed to Canada with government grants and cheap money to set up a Newfoundland farm to grow scallops , all presold, to markets around the world. Mass Pioneers and The Immediate Obstacles: where are they, what are their problems, what do they think has to be done, what technology is needed Ron Smolowitz, confirmed , Westport Scallop Project Richard Taylor , confirmed fisherman, FIG grant, transient gear aquaculture Ken Riaf, confirmed attorney for the Westport scallop group and the Gloucester Aquaculture Project Link Murray confirmed Blue Gold Mussels, producer distributor What Do We Do Next? A Panel Possible Panel of Elected Officials to respond to be set up after election day Audience From industry who could potentially benefit with sales of technology around the world and a source of shellfish here MTS MOTN exhibitors of Boston Fish Expo Conference From communities who could benefit from increased economic development Gloucester fishers, Econ Development office New Bedford fishers, Econ Development office coastal communities Gloucester, New Bedford Banks, Fleet, State Bank of Boston state quasis From Government decision-makers congressional staffers state legislators state regulators New England Fisheries Management Council Catch the Vision Longline Shellfishing and Technology - A Workshop When: Soon: Monday, November 18 Your source for seafood product and your market for marine technology and supply will be in aquaculture. The FAO projects that aquaculture, now 14 million metric tons, must double over the next 15 years to meet global demand for seafood. What are you doing to insure your source for year-round seafood supply? What are you doing to learn about and meet the needs of the growing aquaculture supply market? The Vision: How Do We Unlock the Potential in our Waters in an environmentally sustainable way that supports our local businesses and communities? Processors, Marine Technology and Supply Companies, Growers, Fishermen and Restaurants must join forces to demand elected officials and policy makers to respond to the current crisis in our fisheries by expediting the development of aquaculture in marine waters here. Join The Aquaculture Coalition and MIT Sea Grant and elected officials on November 18 for a workshop on Long line Shellfishing and Technology to learn what must be done next.
Keynote speaker will be Neville Thompson from Marine Production Systems in New Zealand and Australia to talk about the success story of New Zealand's long line shellfishing and its 75 spin-off industries. Dr. Tom Sephton, Canada's aquaculture coordinator for the Atlantic Zone will speak on the success of Prince Edward's Island shellfishing industry. A panel of experts will explore what we can do next to grow this new industry. Longline Shellfishing and Technology Conference Sponsored by The Aquaculture Coalition and MIT Sea Grant Collegium co-sponsor Mass Ocean Technology Network Registration Form Registration includes coffee and luncheon The Aquaculture Coalition POB 208 Salem, MA 01970 Our Vision: A viable and sustainable aquaculture industry
which restores and preserves the biological diversity of our waters, competes effectively internationally and
enriches our local, regional and national economies.
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