‘The world needs renewable protein. As the owner of American Mussel Harvesters, a company that grows, harvests and markets farmed and wild-caught shellfish, I am invested in a healthy ocean. Shellfish need clean water to grow and actually contribute to better water quality by filter feeding. At the same time, aquaculture farmers need space to operate in our coastal areas that are also used by shippers, sailors and now wind farm developers. The need to balance these users (among many others) was why I got involved in ocean planning and the SAMP (Special Area Management Plan for the Ocean). I wanted to ensure that decision makers understood that shellfish farming was a legitimate activity and that our needs must also be considered. This conversation needs to continue in all ocean planning efforts.’
© 2015 Rick Friedman Photography