1994 95 Situation Outlook Report

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  1994-1995
  Mark J. Spatz, James L. Anderson, and Susan Jancart
  June 1996
  Rhode Island Experiment Publication No. 3352

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  Table of Contents

  • • 1. Executive Summary
    • 2. Introduction
    • 3. Regional Overview
  • PART ONE: SHELLFISH
    • 4. Oysters
    • 5. Northern Quahog/Hard Clam
    • 6. Other Shellfish
  • PART TWO: FINFISH
    • 7. Atlantic Salmon/Steelhead Trout
    • 8. Trout
    • 9. Hybrid Striped Bass
    • 10. Other Finfish
  • PART THREE: AQUATIC PLANTS AND CRUSTACEANS
    • 11. Aquatic Plants and Crayfish
  Literature Cited
  Appendix: Survey
  
  DEPARTMENT OF ENVIR. & NAT. RESOURCE ECONOMICS
  RHODE ISLAND AG. EXPERIMENT STATION
  UNIVERSITY of RHODE ISLAND
  
  

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  Executive Summary

  The objectives of this report were to: 1) compile estimates of private aquaculture production and value for the Northeast region of the U.S.'; 2) identify future opportunities and current problems facing the industry; and 3) identify priority research directions based on industry needs.
  • According to FAO (1995), world aquaculture production was about 19.3 million MT and $32.5 billion in 1992.
  • In 1992 U.S. aquaculture production is estimated to be about $980 million or 3 percent, by value, of world production (Dicks, et al. 1996).
  • The largest aquaculture industry in the U.S. is catfish. In 1996 farm gate value is estimated to be $375 million(USDA, 1996).
  • In 1994, estimated farm gate value of all aquaculture production in the Northeast was $134.2 million, 8 percent less than 1992.
  • The 1995 estimated farm gate value of all aquaculture production in the Northeast was $162.4 million, 11 percent more than 1992.
  • Connecticut and Maine are the largest aquaculture producing states in the Northeast region, as they were in 1992.
  • In 1995, the Maine-based, pen-reared salmonid industry represented the largest segment of the aquaculture industry in the Northeast with an estimated farm gate value of $53.4 million,
    • - Atlantic salmon/steelhead trout production was 22.2 million pounds in 1995, an increase of 65 percent over 1992 (Churchill, 1996).
    • - Wholesale prices for salmon declined 29 percent between January 1992 and January 1996.
    • - Forty-six percent of the producers expect production to increase slightly over the next five years.
    • - On average, respondents consider regulation, marketing, financial capital, and predation slightly to moderately constraining to salmon production.
  • The oyster industry generated %49.8 million in estimated farm gate sales in 1995 and represents the second largest segment of the aquaculture industry.
    • - Ninety-four percent of the regional oyster production is from Connecticut.
    • - Fifty-three percent of the producers surveyed expect a significant increase in production over the next five years.
    • - Eighty percent of respondents expect consumer demand for oysters to increase, and 20 percent expect demand to remain stable over the next five years.
    • - Producers consider regulation, disease, and financial capital to be the most significant constraints to future industry growth. Of respondents, 40 percent consider regulation to be very constraining or totally prohibitive to industry growth.
  • 1995 regional farm gate value of Northern quahog/ hard clams is estimated at $25.3 million. The industry is centered in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York
    • - Forty-six percent of the respondents expect significant increases in fanned quahog production over the next five years. Producers expect consumer demand to keep pace with production; 80 percent expect slight or significant increases in demand over the next five years.
    • - Predation, regulation, and disease are considered the top three constraints to growth. Financial capital and marketing are considered to be much less constraining in 1995 when compared to 1992.
    • Blue mussels, bay and sea scallops, and soft-ó shell clams are produced primarily in the states of Maine and Massachusetts.
  • The 1995 regional production of freshwater trout is estimated at $16 million. Production was dominated by Pennsylvania in 1995, as it was in 1992. Eleven of the twelve states reported private trout production; the one exception was Rhode Island.
    • - Trout growers expect demand and regional production to increase over the next five years. Fifty-six percent expect a slight increase in demand. Twenty five percent of the producers expect significant increases in production.
    • - Predation, regulation, and financial capital are the most frequently cited constraints. Sixty-one percent of the respondents consider predation either moderately or very constraining to industry growth.
  • Regional production of hybrid striped bass was valued at $2.4 million. Maryland and Massachusetts represent the principal producing states; however, there are active producers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and New York.
    • - Based upon producer responses, 1995 hybrid striped bass production increased 48 percent over 1992 levels.
    • - Financial capital and marketing are the most constraining factors to production.
  • The category of "other finfish" includes tilapia, ornamental fish, baitfish, catfish, and other fish. The 1995 estimated regional production is $8.6 million, an increase of 18 percent over 1992.
    • - 1995 Northeast tilapia production is estimated to be 580,000 pounds or about 3.6 percent of total U.S. estimated production (Stutzman, 1995). Production was down in Maryland in 1994, but it is expected to rebound to 1992 levels by 1996. At least one major producer has plans to significantly increase production over the next two years. Financial capital is considered the most significant constraint to tilapia aquaculture production in the Northeast.
    • - The ornamental fish industry is dominated by two large firms. Producers expect production in the Northeast to remain stable over the next five years. The major constraints to production are predation and regulation.
    • - Relative to the south, small quantities of catfish are produced in the Northeast. Maryland reported 1994 production at 107,000 pounds, and West Virginia reported 8,600 pounds of catfish produced (MD Dept. of Ag., 1995; Cambell et al., 1995).
    • - The baitfish industry is characterized by a large number of small producers. Maine estimates that the retail value of baitfish in the state is close to $5 million (Dietrich and Hastings, 1995).
    • - Much of the largemouth bass, walleye, grass carp, bighead carp, perch, and Amur produced in the region is raised by culturists who produce baitfish and catfish.
    • - There are three producers in the Northeast that are in the preliminary stages of summer flounder production.
  • The 1995 farm gate value for the aquatic plant and crustacean category is estimated at $5.6 million. Total value is primarily comprised of aquatic plant revenue.
    • - Aquatic plant production is composed of ornamental plants and Porphyra. Responses were received from Maryland and Maine.
    • - Crayfish production for the human consumption market is centered in Maryland, with some production coming from Delaware. There is at least one grower in Pennsylvania that is expected begin production in 1996. There were several respondents from Pennsylvania and New York that produce crayfish for the baitfish industry.
  
  

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  1. Compiled from industry surveys, state and federal government officials, and trade association representatives.

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Last updated: 03/10/2009