Commercial aquaculture production continues to grow in importance in Maui County, from 4 farms with13 acres in 1989 to 26 operations on 40 acres in 1999 and a production value in excess of $500,000.
OED has continued its partnership with the Sea Grant and Marine Options programs at the University of Hawaii to fund an aquaculture extension agent for Maui County. The agent is responsible for providing technical assistance to aquaculture farmers throughout the County and is based at Maui Community College. Although currently based on Maui, the agent continues to frequent Moloka`i to offer advice and expertise in aquaculture projects.
Maui County also benefits from a Regional Coastal Processes Agent, funded partially by OED and the County's Planning Department. This agent is also based at Maui Community College and continues to advise the County and its residents about beach erosion concerns, beach management and beach restoration. Both the Aquaculture Extension Agent and the Regional Coastal Processes Agent support the marine sciences program at MCC, thus opening up careers opportunities in this field.
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