MATTAPOISETT — Town residents have been asked to read and respond to newly proposed rules and regulations on aquaculture, the rearing of aquatic animals or cultivation of aquatic plants.

Posted on Friday, June 7, the introduction to the new regulations said “The Town of Mattapoisett advocates the orderly development of aquaculture that is complementary to the continuing development of the Town's shellfishery as it pertains to aquaculture licenses.”

Harbormaster Jill Simmons presented the regulations to the Board of Selectmen in a meeting on Tuesday, June 4. The board decided to post the regulations to the town website, https://www.mattapoisett.net for 21 days to gauge public opinion before finalizing them.

The regulations outline the application process to obtain a shellfishing license, explain that applicants are responsible for knowing if a proposed site is on private land, and rule that cages and other equipment may not be stored on-site when not in use.

Questions about the proposed regulations can be emailed to harbormaster@mattapoisett.net.