HYANNIS – Shellfish growers, wild harvesters and environmentalists are coming together to develop a state-wide plan to maximize the benefits of the state’s shellfish resources.
The Massachusetts Aquaculture Association, Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance and The Nature Conservancy, along with students from UMass-Boston hosted public meetings this week in Wellfleet and Harwich to gather input to develop a state-wide holistic shellfish plan.
“The Massachusetts Shellfish Initiative is an opportunity for all interested parties to be involved in shaping the goals and future activities for how we are going to grow our shellfish resources here in Massachusetts,” said Melissa Sanderson, the COO of the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance.
Sanderson said having everyone involved in the process will help create the best possible plan and overcome any potential conflicts as shellfishing continues to grow in the state.
“We’re hoping we get involvement from aquaculturists, wild harvesters, the tribes, the restoration community, public officials and the general public,” Sanderson said.
In 2015 in Massachusetts, shellfish landings added $35 million to the economy. Aquaculture landings have also grown about 400 percent over the last decade.
“It’s an increasing piece of our economy and half of those landings happened here on Cape Cod,” Sanderson said.
Other states have seen success with similar initiatives, according to Sanderson.
“Some of the results of their initiatives have been to clean their waters and open more areas to shellfishing,” she said. “They have restored native shellfish beds and they have completed important research that’s going to help grow the industry.”
Another public meeting will be held Thursday at Duxbury Bay Maritime School from 6 to 8 p.m.
There are also meetings being planned for Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket with dates and locations to be announced at a later date.
Sanderson envisions the creation of a larger steering committee to develop the plan.
By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter
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