MAF Student helps lead new shellfish aquaculture initiative in Provincetown, MA

http://provincetown.wickedlocal.com/article/20150323/NEWS/150329698

Marine Affairs graduate student, Dan Maggio, is helping to lead an initiative to establish a shellfish aquaculture facility in Provincetown, Massachusetts. As an intern, and now an employee of the Harbormaster office for the last three years he realized the potential Provincetown has to become a leader in shellfish aquaculture.

As an undergraduate student and graduate student of the Marine Affairs department, Dan learned the importance of creating sustainable fisheries. For the proposed project, Dan is working with the Shellfish Constable and Harbormaster to develop a project that will support the growth of shellfish aquaculture in the town, while also promoting sustainable fishing practices. They propose a building that will produce shellfish seed for aquaculture farms, a shellfish nursery, a co-op that will sell local caught shellfish and lobster, and serve as an education outreach center. The co-op will also offer shellfish growers to be able to ship their product worldwide, which offers economic growth.

The new proposal grew from Dan’s research on recreational use patterns and attitudes towards shellfish aquaculture within Provincetown Harbor. His results indicated new economic opportunities for Provincetown through shellfish aquaculture investment.