Best Management Practices for Maryland Aquaculture
INTRODUCTION
Aquaculture, or the production of aquatic plants and animals, has been a part of Maryland's history for over a century. The industry currently consists of a diverse array of products ranging from traditional shellfish such as oysters to aquatic plants for use in water gardens and shoreline stabilization. Several businesses have been developed that raise finfish and shellfish in innovative systems and aimed at non-traditional markets. In addition, the use of aquaculture products for the restoration of depleted or disrupted natural populations has been an area of increasing research and interest in recent years, and is seen as a potential area for increasing opportunity for the future. This would provide enhanced economic activity while assisting in the environmental modification.
Legislation enacted during 2005 created the Maryland Aquaculture Review Board (MARB), which provides regular interagency review of permits and issues across departmental lines. The Maryland Aquaculture Coordinating Council (MACC) was also created, comprising seventeen designated members from industry, academia, regulatory, and political categories. Among the tasks the MACC was charged with was the development of Best Management Practices (BMP) for all forms of aquaculture.
To address this, the MACC created six subcommittees. These were chaired by MACC members, with additional membership provided by council members, as well as knowledgeable individuals able to provide insight into development of the BMPs. During the summer and fall of 2006, these subcommittees met and formulated drafts. Subcommittee meetings were open to the public for input by non-subcommittee members, and to ensure that citizen comments and concerns were heard and considered for incorporation into the BMPs.
These BMPs are formed from existing state and federal laws and regulations, as well as voluntary measures that are recommended. Their purpose is to provide producers with a base of knowledge regarding expectations in the development of their businesses. In all, they comprise a roadmap for those entering the aquaculture industry to follow as they grow businesses in the state. Since another task of the MACC is the regular and periodic review of all laws and regulations pertaining to aquaculture, these BMPs will be reviewed and revised as a part of this process so that they reflect current practice. It is hoped that they will aid the industry in continuing to grow while maintaining a position of environmental compatibility.
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