both for start-up and for operational costs. Most federal funding sources are geared toward traditional agriculture and the programs that include aquaculture generally limit it to finfish and inland endeavors. Most private lending institutions in Massachusetts either do not recognize aquaculture as a commercial venture or recognize the high risk of "crop failure" inherent to aquaculture. This financing vacuum forces most aquaculturists to apply for personal loans to get the venture and operating capital they need. One of the essential keys to success in any industry is its access to reliable sources of funding. Traditional agriculture has relied upon three sources to provide many of its capital needs: the farm credit system, the Farmers Home Administration, and private lenders. Aquaculturists, particularly shellfish culturists, need the same access and the same opportunities. Distribution/Marketing Shrewd marketing is important to the livelihood of any industry, particularly aquaculture. Concurrently, an effective marketing campaign can expand the distribution of aquaculture products outside of the local area. At present, however, local growers are providing product to a limited market which has forced down the unit price. Through aggressive marketing efforts, the market for local aquaculture products could be expanded to other regions of the country, which would increase product output forcing up the unit price. Unfortunately, the industry is not currently capable of funding such a marketing initiative. Similarly, financial obstacles to aquaculture projects including start-up costs and marketing initiatives, as well as those inherent to the complicated permitting process, exclude all willing participants from entering the aquaculture industry other than large corporations. In order to open the industry up to small scale operations and provide any chance of an alternative to traditional fishing, governments might need to create a frame...
