Aquaculture Licenses/Shellfish Grants

What is aquaculture?

Aquaculture is the practice of farming aquatic organisms in water environments. It's similar to agriculture (farming crops and livestock) but for fish, shellfish, algae, and other aquatic plants and animals. Native Americans and colonists on Cape Cop were pioneers in raising shellfish and crustaceans through aquaculture. However, large-scale commercial aquaculture in Massachusetts only became possible in the 1970s, thanks to the development of more efficient cultivation techniques. Since that time, aquaculture has grown to include more than 15 species of fish and shellfish that are cultivated for food, research, biomedical, sport, and ornamental purposes. 

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