LETTER: Same boat, same knowledge, new opportunities

Aquaculture can use the same people and know-how to transition to new areas of the blue economy

April 14, 2026

To the Editor:

Both Japan and Great Britain have made scallop aquaculture a significant part of their marine economies. Here in Maine, Marsden Brewer and his son Bob have proved that they successfully farm sea scallops. In June, DownEast Books is bringing out our Farmed Sea Scallop Cookbook: Guide to Whole Sea Scallops Sustainably Harvested.

In that same fairly deep water habitat, our growers successfully raise kelp. Here are examples of aquacultures that require no added feeding and no removal of waste product, and indeed improve the quality of our waters.

We say that we are working to encourage a stable marine economy in the face of changes. Why aren’t we hearing more about ways to support our fishermen adding these ecologically sound forms of aquaculture to their repertoire that would use their same boat, same crew, and same local knowledge? 

—Marnie Reed Crowell

Biologist and natural history writer

Deer Isle

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