The Recreational Use of Provincetown Harbor and Attitudes Towards Shellfish Aquaculture

Aquaculture refers to the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of plants and animals in all types of water environments including ponds, rivers, lakes, and the ocean (NOAA, 2014). In the United States shellfish aquaculture of mollusks experienced significant economic growth from 2005-2013. In 2005 the mollusk shellfish aquaculture industry was worth approximately $203,183,000, which grew to $328,567,000 in 2013 (USDA;NASS, 2013). In Provincetown, Massachusetts the interest of growth and development of shellfish aquaculture from local fishermen and town officials is increasing (Wisbauer, 2015). Surveys were administered to four categories of users, as defined by the town\u27s definitions: residents, non-residents, occupants, and visitors in Provincetown Harbor. Data for this study was collected through the use of a face-to-face survey. The survey that was given to participants is broken into four sections. Section one consists of questions that identify the participant\u27s residency classification as well as activities they participate in within Provincetown Harbor. Section 2 aims to understand what participants value when on the water, and illustrate what participants find important when they use the harbor. Section three consists of two open-ended questions and one multiple-choice question. The two open-ended questions ask for their personal thoughts and feelings towards shellfish aquaculture in general and whether they support or oppose the development of shellfish aquaculture in Provincetown Harbor. Section 4 contained a map that participants were asked to draw on to identify areas that they use most in the harbor. In this research study it was found that the local population group and the visitor population group value different setting preferences within the harbor. This research study also found that both population groups support the development of shellfish aquaculture in Provincetown Harbor. The final conclusion found by this research study was that if shellfish aquaculture development in Provincetown Harbor were to expand, certain considerations must be made. Expanding shellfish aquaculture in the pre-existing requirement of water depths of 20-30 feet, there are areas in the harbor that will be highly conflicting