Rhode Island in the US see aquaculture growing

Recently Rhode Island Costal Resources Management Council (CRMC) released its annual report on aquaculture, and the outlook is very promising. “In the last few years, we’ve had slow, steady growth,” said Dave Beutel, Aquaculture Coordinator at CRMC. “I anticipate that will continue. CRMC is the lead permitting agency, but we work closely with DEM for regulation and monitoring. That oversight is part of what makes it sustainable.”

The Point Judith Pond Photo by Shaun Kirby

CRMC reports that the number of aquaculture farms in Rhode Island have increased from 38 in 2010 to 43 in 2011, and oysters continue to be a staple of the market with 4,074,186 pieces sold for consumption. The farm gate value of aquaculture products in 2011 was US$2,459,761 (€1,874,419), and increase of 5.7 percent from 2010. “Aquaculture is one of the pieces of a healthy seafood economy,” said Beutel. “If you look at the big picture, it is important as a source of jobs as well in South County. Almost everybody that has an aquaculture site in South County lives here, so it is local businesses [driving aquaculture].” Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers. To get your copy of 'PPLAPP' click here.