The waterways of Dartmouth are booming with aquaculture, as a third business has received approval to operate an aquaculture farm in town.

At its January 6 meeting, the Select Board unanimously approved Slocums River Shellfish's request to begin an aquaculture operation in South Dartmouth.

The two-person team, made up of lifelong Dartmouth residents Eli Powell and Jamie Simmons, plan to operate a shellfish farming operation off of the western shore of Mishaum Point.

They both spent their lives in Dartmouth on the water, and worked under Seth Garfield at Cuttyhunk Shellfish Farm to learn the trade and developed a passion for aquaculture.

“It’s been an interest for my whole life,” Powell said.

Now they are ready to bring their training – including for Powell a degree in aquaculture and fishery sciences from URI – to Dartmouth.

With approval for their site in South Dartmouth by the Select Board, they are still working on securing state permitting. Powell said the goal is to begin operations by the end of the year.

Once their current site is fully operational, Powell estimates it will include between 40,000 and 50,000 oysters.

There are two other approved operations in Dartmouth. That includes Padanaram Oyster Farm, which is in full operation on outer Padanaram Harbor.