The Virginia Marine Resources Commission is trying something new to expand the ecologically beneficial farming of oysters and clams on state-owned water bottoms. In January, the comission is expected to approve the creation of 15 new Aquaculture Opportunity Zones. The zones identified through extensive, on-site Commission inspections are located on hard bottom, in clean shallow waters that are without underwater grasses that must be protected to preserve their value as nurseries for fish and crabs. These zones also are sufficiently sheltered, within reasonable distance of off-loading sites and are not within the riparian areas of waterfront property owners.
"We want people to take advantage of this exciting opportunity, especially commercial oystermen,"
VMRC Fisheries Chief Jack Travelstead. "This is an incredible deal. Shellfish aquaculture is more dependable than going out and catching oysters, and reduces pressure on our wild stocks that have been suffering under the pressure of two oyster diseases. Also, we will continue to train commercial watermen in aquaculture as much as our budget allows."
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This blog is written by Martin Little The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the
International Aquafeed Magazine from
Perendale Publishers.
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