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Select Board revokes aquaculture permit after health‑and‑safety findings
Summary
After an investigation by Natural Resources, the shellfish commission and state partners, the Select Board voted to revoke aquaculture permit #187277 for Mr. Quantero, citing violations that the town characterized as health‑and‑safety risks and not amenable to further education or progressive enforcement.
The Mashpee Select Board voted unanimously on June 22 to revoke aquaculture permit number 187277 following an investigation by the Natural Resources Department and consultations with the Department of Marine Fisheries and environmental police. Natural Resources staff told the board the violations were serious and posed health and safety concerns, and the shellfish commission recommended revocation.
Peter Thomas, chair of the shellfish commission, told the board that during the application and interview process commission members had raised concerns about the applicant’s past interactions and potential conflicts with commercial entities working on the water. Thomas said the commission had voted and that he cast the deciding vote to recommend revocation, noting that he was reluctant to deny a permit based on hearsay but that the later findings warranted action. He recounted the applicant’s comment at the interview: “Thank you Mr. Thomas for the opportunity. I promise I won’t let you down.”
Natural Resources staff said the violations included matters significant enough that education or lesser penalties were not considered sufficient; the department had issued citations and recommended full revocation. After questions from board members focused on whether the revocation was permanent and why progressive enforcement would be inappropriate in this instance, the board voted to approve the department’s recommendation to revoke the permit.
The revocation will remove the site privileges granted by that aquaculture permit; staff said the applicant had been notified by certified mail and the shellfish commission and natural resources department will follow up on enforcement and any necessary remediation.
