HISTORY AND TRENDS IN SHELLFISH

AQUACULTURE

Michael J. Oesterling Executive Director

Shellfish Growers of Virginia

VIRGINIA COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

PARTNERS WORKSHOP

10 December 2014 Richmond, VA

THE VIRGINIA INDUSTRY *Hatchery based. .

THE VIRGINIA INDUSTRY *Hatchery based. *Hard clams 2013 = 214,100,000 market-size; $34.0-million dockside value.

THE VIRGINIA INDUSTRY *Hatchery based. *Hard clams 2013 = 214,100,000 market-size; $34.0-million dockside value. *Oysters 2013 = 31,000,000 individuals; $11.1-million dockside value; 1,486,000,000 eyed-larvae sold for spat-on-shell production.

OYSTER AQUACULTURE TECHNIQUES

SINGLE OYSTERS FOR THE HALF-SHELL MARKET, PRIMARILY FOR RAW CONSUMPTION

SPAT-ON-SHELL FOR SHUCKING, PRIMARILY FOR COOKING

THE VIRGINIA INDUSTRY *Hatchery based. *Hard clams 2013 = 214,100,000 market-size; $34.0-million dockside value. *Oysters 2013 = 31,000,000 individuals; $11.1-million dockside value; 1,486,000,000 eyed-larvae sold for spat-on-shell production. *Direct shellfish culture employment 2013 = 157 full-time, 384 part-time; total jobs impact = 1,147. Source: Virginia Sea Grant Marine Extension Program, Viirginia Institute of Marine Science.

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

250 200 150 100 50 0

NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL AQUACULTURED HARD CLAMS SOLD (MILLIONS)

194.0 195.0

212.0

186.0

145.0

162.0

182.1 171.0

214.4

SOURCE: Virginia Shellfish Aquaculture Situation and Outlook Report, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Marine Resource Report No. 2014-5.

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

NUMBER OF SINGLE, AQUACULTURED MARKET OYSTERS SOLD (MILLIONS)

0.8 3.1

4.8

9.8

12.6

16.9

23.3

28.1

31.0

SOURCE: Virginia Shellfish Aquaculture Situation and Outlook Report, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Marine Resource Report No. 2014-5.

CHALLENGES FACING VIRGINIA SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE

Water Quality – impacts on hatchery production and grow-out Climate change – rising sea levels, temperature effects, faunal changes Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) – increased frequency Vibrio concerns Coastal Growth – conversion of rural to urban Regulations – zoning ordinances; inconsistent use of residential areas Changing demographics – the age of the NIMBY Access – working waterfronts being converted to other uses

CONTACT: Mike Oesterling, 804-815-1316, mikeo@vashellfish.org

www.vashellfish.org