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RI Coastal Resources Management Council

...to preserve, protect, develop, and restore coastal resources for all Rhode Islanders

CRMC 2005 aquaculture report says industry making progress

April 10 , 2006, WAKEFIELD—The RI Coastal Resources Management Council has released its annual status report on the aquaculture industry in Rhode Island, and the results indicate that the industry, though still a small part of the state economy, grew in leaps and bounds in 2005.

“Through the work that the CRMC has done over the years to support growers and the industry-at-large, the state has seen a resurgence of interest in aquaculture,” said CRMC Chairman Michael M. Tikoian. “We are excited about this industry’s future in Rhode Island and will continue to support farmers and researchers at our universities in their efforts.”

The aquaculture industry reported significant growth in 2005.  Farmgate value (the value for the product paid to the farmer) of raised aquaculture products rose 29.9 percent, a marked increase from 2004’s improvement of 1.6 percent; it was the ninth increase in the last decade. The number of farms in Rhode Island increased from 22 to 25, and total acreage under cultivation grew from 70 acres in 2004 to 85 acres. And for the first time in six years, there was a fin fish proposal under consideration by the CRMC.

Aquaculture-related industries in Rhode Island reported gross revenue of $3.5 million in 2005. According to the report, the American oyster accounted again for 97 percent of the total harvest; the remaining 3 percent was the hard clam or Quahog. For the sixth consecutive year, 100 percent of all Rhode Island-grown aquaculture products were shellfish. Last year also marked the first time in six years that an application for a freshwater finfish farm was proposed. This application, which is currently under review, proposes raising Koi for the ornamental market.

The Rhode Island Aquaculture Initiative, established in 2002 with the efforts of Senator Jack Reed, and managed and operated by the CRMC, the University of Rhode Island (URI), Roger Williams University (RWU) and the Rhode Island Sea Grant College Program (RISG), continues to serve as a resource for investment in the future growth of the industry in the state. These universities and state entities serve as major partners in administering these funds, and coordinating the programs to be conducted under the Initiative.

In 2005, competitions for research grants and mini-grants for growers were held and grants awarded to the best grant proposals. Two aquaculture extension positions funded in partnership with Roger Williams University and the University of Rhode Island provided benefits to the industry and prospective participants. Research at the universities continued to be a vital part of the aquaculture industry in Rhode Island in 2005.          

The report is available online, at www.crmc.ri.gov, under “Topics” and then “Aquaculture.”. For a hard copy, contact Laura Ricketson, public educator and information coordinator, or David Alves, CRMC aquaculture coordinator at 783-3370 or dalves@crmc.ri.gov.

In other CRMC aquaculture-related news, a new brochure printed by the Ocean State Aquaculture Association (OSAA), funded through a grant from the Rhode Island Aquaculture Initiative and also from the state Department of Environmental Management, has been printed and is available to the public. The brochure provides useful information and a list of nine farms in Rhode Island and contact information.

“As the lead state agency in managing and promoting Rhode Island’s aquaculture industry, we are pleased that this brochure will now be available to the public as an education and information tool,” said CRMC Chairman Michael M. Tikoian. “This brochure will nicely showcase all of the work the CRMC and DEM do, as well as the organizations and universities that contribute greatly to aquaculture in the state.”

This brochure is also available online at www.crmc.ri.gov, and by clicking on “Topics” and then “Aquaculture.” Contact the OSAA for hard copies of the brochure.

Stedman Government Center
Suite 116, 4808 Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879-1900
Voice 401-783-3370 • Fax 401-783-2069 • E-Mail cstaff1@crmc.ri.gov

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