North Carolina s Shellfish Industry: Site Conditions and Economic Impacts A statewide survey of shellfish leaseholders Marc J. Turano, Martin Posey, University of North Carolina Wilmington Troy Alphin, University of North Carolina Wilmington James Morris North Carolina UNC-SG-12-1 * www.ncseagrant.org
Developing Tools for the Growth of the N.C. Shellfish Industry: Site Condition n Assessment and Economic Impacts Marc Turano Shellfish aquaculture in North Carolina is a small, yet traditionallyy important industry to coastal communities, providing locally grown clams and oysters and supplemental income. Despite an increase in seafood demand, acreage under lease and total number of leases has remained relatively constant in recent years. This project examined the scope of the shellfish aquaculture industry in North Carolina. Factors surveyed included the production by species and culture method, sales of shellfish by species and size, market value of cultured product, seed sources, future production and constraints to production. Of the 228 surveys sent to North Carolina leaseholders, 22% were completed. Respondents reported operations of leased acreage ranging from.5 to 86 acres, 41% of which were located in Carteret County. Shellfish culture operations were in business for 15 years on average, with 19% of respondents income generated from shellfish culture activities. Clams and oysters were the dominant species of culture, with the majority producing bothh species. The top concerns of leaseholders s were theft, hurricanes and water quality. A mixed response was received about the view of the industry in the future. Of the respondents, 42% thought the industry would grow in the next five years,, 38% thoughtt the industry would decline, and 2% felt the industry would remain stable. Substantial potential exists for current leaseholderss to expand because most utilize extensive methods for shellfish production with relatively low yields. Modest increases on existing leases would provide a significant increase inn shellfish production. Large-scale increases in North Carolina s shellfish industry willl likely requiree new operations that generate primary income. Assistance with siting new shellfish leases could reduce risks from theft and problematic water quality, and therefore should be included when considering how to best assist growth in the industry. Funding for this study was providedd to by the NOAA Sea Grant Aquaculture Extensionn and Technology Transfer 21 program through Grant # NA1OAR4178
North Caro North C olina Shellfish I Carolina Sh Industry hellfish Aq uaculture 1 Me thods North Carolin a Sea Grant 5 1 15 2 25 3 15 16 17 18 19 2 25 26 27 28 29 Number of leases Acreage Year Figure 1. Recent history of shellfish leases in North Carolina. Acreage # leases
Results General Operations Frequency (%) Frequency (%) 6 5 4 3 2 1 45. 4 35. 3 25. 2 15. 1 5. Frequency (%) Frequency (%) 12 1 8 6 4 2 Figure 2. Shellfish lease size distribution in North Carolina. Lease Size (acres) Figure 3. Breakdown of shellfish leases by county. Figure 4. Distribution of age of shellfish aquaculture operations in North Carolina. 25. 2 15. 1 5. Years in operation Figure 5. Histogram of the percent of income generated from shellfish culture. Percent of Income 2
Percent of income (%) 5 4 3 2 1 Figure 6. Origin of additional income obtained by NC shellfish leaseholders. Comm. Fish Shore Based Other Clam Production Oyster Production Figure 7. Species cultured on shellfish leases in North Carolina. Percent of leases (%) 45 4 35 3 25 2 15 1 5 Price per clam ($) Price per clam ($).3.25.2.15.1 5.3.25.2.15.1 5 Clams only Oysters only Clams and oysters Figure 8. Wholesale prices for cultured hard clams in North Carolina. Figure 9. Retail prices for cultured hard clams in North Carolina. Oysters, clams, and scallops Min Max Average Min Max Average 3
Industry Outlook 4 Percent of survey respondents 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% % 8% 6% 4% 2% % $4 $35. $3 $25. $2 $15. $1 $5. $ $.5 $.45 $.4 $.35 $.3 $.25 $.2 $.15 $.1 $5 $ Figure 1. Methods of obtaining oyster seed for NC oyster producers. Natural set Oyster relay Remote set Figure 11. Percent of growers that have tried and/or currently use various growing methods. Rack and bag Bottom cage Chub system Float bags Previously Used Currently Used Figure 12. Survey results on the per bushel price of cultured oysters from NC leases. Figure 13. Survey results of the individual price of cultured oysters from NC leases. Min Max Average Min Max Average
Respondents (%) 5 4 3 2 1 Figure 14. Level of concern for major issues surrounding the NC shellfish industry. Theft Predation Water quality Leasing procedure User conflict Marketing Hurricanes Climate Issues Not concerned Somewhat concerned Concerned Very concerned Percent (%) Percent (%) Figure 15. Percent of survey respondents indicating issues that limited industry growth. 6 5 4 3 2 1 Discussion water... Figure 16. Percent of survey respondents indicating the future of the NC shellfish industry. 45. 4 35. 3 25. 2 15. 1 5. Growing Declining Stable 5
Conclusion References U.S. Census of Agriculture (USDA) 27: Summary and State Data. Virginia Shellfish Aquaculture Situation and Outlook Report Fisheries of the United States 28 6