Aquaculture report shows industry still growing

June 2, 2010, WAKEFIELD – Rhode Island’s aquaculture industry continued to steadily grow in 2009, according to the Coastal Resources Management Council’s annual status report, “Aquaculture in Rhode Island.”

In 2009, the farm gate value (the value for the product paid to the farmer) of the state’s aquaculture products increased to just over $1.7 million ($1,785,135). The industry growth and value have continued to grow since the total value of Rhode Island aquaculture exceeded $1 million for the first time in 2006. In comparison, in 2007 the value was almost $1.6 million ($1,587,857). According to the report, the number of farms in Rhode Island also grew in 2009 from 30 to 33 farms, which increased the acreage under cultivation to 134.5 acres. Oysters remained the aquaculture product of choice in 2009, with nearly 3 million oysters sold for consumption.

The value of aquaculture products for restoration was $936,243 this past year. The combined farm gate value of aquaculture products for consumption and restoration was approximately $2.7 million, according to the report. The CRMC Working Group on Aquaculture Regulations reconvened in 2007 and began work on a long-term aquaculture development plan. In 2009, the working group deliberations report was released and posted on the CRMC website at: http://www.crmc.ri.gov/aquaculture/riawg/CRMC_WG_AquaPlan.pdf, and the working group’s recommendations for regulation changes were implemented by the Council in November. The permit review process was also modified by CRMC staff, in coordination with the R.I. Department of Environmental Management, to reduce the time required for review. This year’s report was prepared by the CRMC’s new Aquaculture Coordinator David Beutel, who joined the staff in April 2009.

“The 2009 annual CRMC report shows that while the aquaculture industry isn’t the largest in Rhode Island, it continues to experience steady growth,” said CRMC Chairman Michael M. Tikoian. “We credit our streamlined regulations and policies, as well as our good working relationship with industry members, for this continued growth.

The full report is available at the CRMC’s web site, www.crmc.ri.gov, under Aquaculture.

Oysters shown close up in a mesh bag on Trims Pond on Block Island.
Photo courtesy of Mr. Chris Warfel