Residents will get another chance to voice their opinions on aquaculture’s future in Mattapoisett.

A public hearing will be held Monday, Nov. 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the Center School to discuss new aquaculture rules, higher fees and taking away “grandfather” regulations.

Since May, the Marine Advisory Board has been compiling a new Waterfront Management Plan, which, looks at how Mattapoisett’s shores are used in terms of recreation, navigation and the expansion of mooring fields.

The board also held public meetings from May to August to determine if areas were not suitable for the three categories. If an area is deemed unsuitable for recreation, navigation or mooring, it could be considered for aquaculture.

In addition to the Waterfront Management Plan, the town has proposed new aquaculture rules and regulations.

A survey on the town’s website allows residents to comment on the proposed plan and regulations by 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28.

A draft of the Waterfront Management Plan shows four areas not deemed suitable for the mentioned categories: the rock jetties at Ned’s Point, Eel Pond, the mouth of the Mattapoisett River and two spots off of Mattapoisett Neck.

Although the current acreage fee is set at $25 in the new regulations, Board of Selectman Chairman Paul Silva wants to bump the price up—way up.

“These acreage fees haven’t changed since 1973,” Silva said in August. “That bothers me. I’ve looked at inflation rates, shellfish weights, mooring fees and boat excise tax and the town should be making more.”

Taking into consideration these factors, Silva’s research concluded the town should be charging $200 per acre.

Additionally, existing aquaculture farms cannot “grandfather,” or precede the new rules and regulations.

The Board of Selectmen approved 60 new moorings in the harbor as part of the Waterfront Management Plan in October.

Click the links below to review the proposed aquaculture rules and regulations as well as the Waterfront Management Plan.