Co-investigators Ken La Valley, Extension Specialist, Commercial Fisheries, and Rich Langan, director of the Atlantic Marine Aquaculture Center, just received news of a grant award from the NOAA Marine Aquaculture Program.

The research team will receive $212,000 over two years. This project will conduct outreach to individuals and groups in the New England fishing industry to generate interest in offshore mussel farming, and to provide technical assistance for start-ups in all aspects of offshore farming, from site selection and permitting to operations and marketing.

The investigators anticipate this project will greatly improve the possibility for expansion of offshore mussel farming in the United States and contribute to the economic and social welfare of coastal communities.