AP Photo
Associated Press via KFWB
(AP) – A Southern California entrepreneur already has a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provision permit to harvest a million pounds of mussels and oysters from an underwater shellfish farm nearly five miles offshore. The project, described as a milestone in aquaculture, now needs California Coastal Commission approval.
Open ocean cultivation, rather than shallow bays and estuaries, will produce higher growth rates, better meat yields and heavier production than shellfish farms close to shore, Philip Cruver said. “Our goal is to show this can be done and put a dent in the nation’s $10.4 billion seafood deficit,” said Cruver, 67.
