Island Creek Cannery Opens in New Bedford MA

oysters

In October 2023, Island Creek Oysters, Inc. (ICO), an aquaculture farm based in Duxbury, Massachusetts, announced the opening of the Island Creek Cannery. The cannery will be a first-of-its-kind on the East Coast.

The 10,000 sq. foot facility will give local shellfish farmers consistent access to the market while providing a shelf-stable line of local sustainable seafood products.

The facility will also help address oversupply by ensuring adequate processing capacity during market fluctuations, shore up prices for farmers, reduce waste, diversify species and food, and create a range of jobs from processors to marketing experts.

For more information, visit islandcreekoysters.com.

U.S. Oyster Aquaculture Facts

Shellfish aquaculture is an important industry in coastal Massachusetts. Oysters are the most popular farmed shellfish in the state.

Oysters are the highest volume product for U.S. marine shellfish producers, according to NMFS Fisheries of the United States, 2020.

Seaweed Facts

 

Rockweed

Seaweed offers enormous potential as a food source. In North America, scientists, entrepreneurs, harvesters, and others are undertaking an array of projects aimed at increasing seaweed production.

Seaweed Facts

"Seaweed" is the common name for marine plants and algae that grow in the ocean as well as in rivers, lakes, and other water bodies.

Seaweed is used in salads, nutritional supplements, beer, personal care products, fish feed, and other items.

Most seaweed consumed in the U.S. is imported from Asia.

Researchers are exploring the potential of seaweed as biofuel, cattle feed, and other uses.

Giant kelp can grow up to 14 inches in one day, reaching lengths of 100 feet or more.

The gel inside rockweed bulbs is useful to treat sunburns and cuts.

Seaweeds remove carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus from the environment.

There are approximately 550 species of seaweeds known to occur in Alaska. Some species are found only in Alaska waters.

The U.S. seaweed industry is still in its early stages. Production occurs in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, and throughout New England.

In the Northeast U.S., seaweed is grown beginning in November and harvested in the spring. 

Oyster farmers can grow seaweed in their offseason to provide additional revenue.

Maine has a wild harvested seaweed industry, which harvested ̴roughly 15 million pounds in 2022.

The National Seaweed Hub is a science-based, non-advocate resource for the domestic seaweed aquaculture industry and associated sectors.

Florida Largemouth Bass Aquaculture

Largemouth Bass

At their March 2022 meeting, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Commissioners approved rules to allow for the production and sale of Florida largemouth bass as a food product.

Statutory changes made during the 2021 legislative session sanctioned the sale of Florida largemouth bass produced in aquaculture facilities for food.

FWC staff worked with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to ensure continued genetic conservation of Florida’s iconic freshwater game fish.

Key points from the approved rule language include:

Allow for the culture and sale of Florida largemouth bass as a food fish.

• Incorporate FWC’s Genetic Authentication Standards for Florida largemouth bass into rule by reference.

• Require any shipment of live bass in Florida to be accompanied with documentation required by FDACS and FWC.

• Prohibit the importation into or transportation within the state of any live bass species, except permitted Florida largemouth bass that meet FWC’s largemouth bass Genetic Authentication Standards.

Prior to presentation of the draft rules at the December Commission meeting, staff held four public meetings and solicited online comments from stakeholders.

Both angling and industry stakeholders attended meetings and their combined input was taken into consideration and utilized during the rule drafting process.

More information about the rule can be found by visiting MyFWC.com.

Largemouth Bass Facts:

The largemouth bass is the best known and most popular game fish in North America.

The Florida largemouth bass is the state freshwater fish of Florida.

The Florida state record for largemouth bass is 17.27 pounds.

Two subspecies of Largemouth Bass are recognized; Florida Bass (Micropterus s. floridanus) and Northern Largemouth Bass (Micropterus s. salmoides).

Florida bass tend to grow much larger than the northern largemouth bass. 

Most U.S. states prohibit the sale of wild-caught largemouth bass for food.

Atlantic Salmon Tank Aquaculture Research

Atlantic Salmon

Maryland Sea Grant and University of Maryland, Baltimore County, are lead partners in a multi-state consortium to receive a $1.2 million grant to study how to optimally grow Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in land-based aquaculture systems.

The competitive grant comes from the National Sea Grant Office, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It is part of a major agency effort to increase domestic aquaculture production and reduce the trade deficit associated with salmon imports.

According to the agency, about 90 percent of all seafood consumed in the United States is imported. Only about half of that comes from aquaculture, which puts pressure on wild stocks. Those imports add to a growing seafood trade deficit, already at $16 billion in 2017.

The funding will establish a coordinated network of recirculating aquaculture systems raising Atlantic salmon in land-based systems that re-use the water to grow fish.

Closed-system aquaculture allows for fish production in more affordable areas closer to population centers, which will lower the cost of production as well as the carbon footprint for transport. These systems recycle water and treat the waste with beneficial microbes, increasing sustainability.

Americans consume 500,000 tons of Atlantic salmon annually, 95 percent of which is imported, and valued at $3.4 billion, according to Yonathan Zohar, the chair of the UMBC Department of Marine Biotechnology and the grant’s lead principal investigator.

Zohar, based at Baltimore’s Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, oversees one of the nation’s most sophisticated aquaculture research operations. The new grant, he said, “offers an opportunity for domestic production of Atlantic salmon to replace all of these imports. The only way to really scale that up is with land-based systems that are environmentally sustainable. This allows us to identify the bottlenecks, address the issues and develop a strategic plan to make sure this emerging Atlantic salmon aquaculture industry can be successful.”

Maryland Sea Grant Director Fredrika Moser said she saw tremendous value in a multi-disciplinary approach to growing domestic aquaculture through this grant. “Sea Grant is excited to work with our partners in research and industry to develop a roadmap that will help policymakers and federal agencies promote an economically feasible and environmentally sustainable land-based domestic aquaculture industry,” she said.

This effort to build these systems’ capacity and research their economic feasibility includes Sea Grant partners in Maine and Wisconsin as well as the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland Extension, Morgan State University, the USDA National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility, and the Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute in West Virginia.

Industry partners and collaborators include Superior Fresh in Wisconsin, Whole Oceans, LLC and Nordic Aquafarms in Maine, and American Salmon in Maryland, among others.

source: Maryland Sea Grant

Global Aquaculture Alliance Website Re-Design

The Global Aquaculture Alliance has strengthened its online presence by re-launching its websites (www.gaalliance.org and bap.gaalliance.org) designed to better communicate its mission of advocating, educating and demonstrating responsible aquaculture practices to feed and employ future generations.

The new websites feature search and map functionalities for the list of more than 700 Best Aquaculture Practices-certified facilities, a marketing toolkit and a consumer-facing webpage. The new GAA and BAP websites made their official debut at Seafood Expo North America.

source: Global Aquaculture Alliance

FAO Report: State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture - 2014

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations recently released its 2014 edition of The State of the World Fisheries and Aquaculture.

The report highlights global trends and statistics in wild and aquaculture fisheries production and their importance to the global economy.

The report is available at: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3720e/index.html

Crayfish Holding Tanks

After harvesting their catch, some crayfish harvesters prefer to hold crawfish for a few days. Confinement is done to clean and purge these tiny shellfish before cooking. Bait tanks or other containment systems are also used to keep a constant supply of crayfish for fishing bait.

When maintaining populations of live crayfish, a number of challenges are likely to be encountered. Cannibalism can be a major problem when quantities of individuals are confined together. Although cannibalism cannot be eliminated, the behavior can be minimized through a number of practices.

Access to food and shelter appear to help curb cannibalism, as do habitats that keep crayfish active. In addition to cannibalism, crayfish are subject to predation from birds, raccoons, and other wildlife. When crayfish are kept outside, these threats can be a serious problem.

Water quality can be an issue, especially during hot weather. To minimize mortality, crayfish tanks must be kept clean and the water changed often. Most closed systems require frequent maintenance in order to perform correctly.

One of the simplest systems for keeping crayfish alive can be rigged by equipping a large cooler with a few additional components. A small garden fountain pump can be added to circulate water. If possible shelter should also be added to a crayfish storage tank. Objects such as oyster shells, whelk shells, stones, or pottery make suitable shelters for crayfish.

When holding crayfish, the decision to feed or not is usually based on the intended use. If the intent is to purge crayfish briefly before cooking, feeding may not be necessary. In other cases, it may be desirable to feed crayfish every day or two in order to maintain peak condition. Popular foods include corn, rice, or small amounts of plant vegetation.

As an alternative to bait tanks or other closed containers, some enthusiasts store crayfish in pens or cages which are located in nearby ponds or creeks. As with bait tanks, these storage methods are subject to problems such as cannibalism, outside predation, and water quality fluctuations. Crayfish pens cages should be located out of direct sunlight when possible.

Despite their challenges, crayfish holding setups can be extremely useful on a small scale. They can provide a reliable source of fishing bait as well as fresh crayfish for the table. Tanks, pens, and other systems can also be used for storing baitfish or other aquatic life.

BAP Names Business Development Manager for North America

Best Aquaculture Practices, a leading global certification program for aquaculture facilities, has announced the  addition of Molly Metcalf to its international marketing team.

Ms. Metcalf will serve as BAP's new business development manager for North America. Her duties are to include helping seafood suppliers, buyers, retailers and food service outlets in the United States and Canada to share the benefits of the organization's certification program.

Metcalf is a seafood industry professional who has worked for Slade Gorton & Co. since 2002 in various buying and sales positions. Previously she taught Spanish at the high school level.

Metcalf is a graduate of the National Fisheries Institute Future Leaders program. Her class raised over $300,000 for SeaShare, a non-profit hunger relief organization.

A graduate of Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, USA, she has a degree in Spanish, which will allow her to apply bilingual skills in the marketplace.

source: Best Aquaculture Practices

NOAA Aquaculture Initiative

NOAA recently announced its new aquaculture initiative. According to the agency, the plan is intended to help meet our country’s growing demand for seafood, while creating jobs and restoring healthy ecosystems.

The agency’s Aquaculture Technology Transfer Initiative will foster public-private partnerships on regional projects that showcase innovative sustainable practices, jump start private sector investments, and create employment opportunities in coastal communities.

In June, the Department of Commerce and NOAA released national policies that support sustainable marine aquaculture in the United States. Americans import about 84 percent of their seafood, half of which is from aquaculture. The U.S. trade deficit in seafood currently exceeds $10 billion and continues to grow.

As part of this initiative, NOAA will work with partners in the private sector, academia, government and communities to advance technology, monitor performance indicators, and showcase best practices and market-based standards. The initiative will be implemented with the active involvement of NOAA’s regional offices and science centers, Sea Grant Extension, and other federal, state, local and non-governmental partners.

The domestic aquaculture industry, both freshwater and marine, currently supplies about five percent of the seafood consumed in the U.S. The cultivation of shellfish, such as oysters, clams, and mussels, comprises about two-thirds of U.S. marine aquaculture.

Salmon and shrimp aquaculture contribute about 25 percent and 10 percent, respectively. Current production takes place mainly on land, in ponds, and in coastal state waters.

source: NOAA

GAA Completes Salmon Aquaculture Best Aquaculture Practices Certification Standards

The Global Aquaculture Alliance recently announced the completion of BAP standards for salmon farms. The new salmon aquaculture standards component becomes an important addition to the Alliance's Best Aquaculture Practices certification program.

The BAP standards for salmon farms apply to the cage and net pen production of salmon and rainbow trout. They join BAP's standards for shrimp, tilapia, Pangasius and channel catfish.

The BAP program also includes standards for feed mills, hatcheries and processing plants. Over 1.5 billion pounds (700,000 metric tons) of seafood are processed under the BAP program annually.

The BAP standards are based on current best practices, but continuously evolve with advancing technology. BAP strives to set standards at an achievable level to encourage a broad cross section of producers to participate and effect positive changes within the industry.

The standards can be viewed at www.gaalliance.org/cmsAdmin/uploads/BAP-SalmonF-611.pdf

Public comments and responses are also available at www.gaalliance.org/bap/comments.php

For more information on BAP, visit www.gaalliance.org/bap/

source: GAA

Canadian Seafood Consumption

A new survey reveals 88 percent of Canadians have eaten seafood over the past three months. However, only 15 percent of fish consumers and 5 percent of shellfish consumers are meeting Canada Food Guide recommendations of two seafood servings per week (see note 1) .

Commissioned by the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA), the Canadian Seafood Survey found that more men than women like the taste of fish (73 vs. 66 percent, respectively), and that men have a more positive impression of farmed seafood than women. Nearly three-quarters of Canadians eat salmon (74 percent), followed by trout (45 percent) and shellfish (43 percent).

“The good news is that Canadians are eating seafood,” said Ruth Salmon, CAIA’s Executive Director. “Unfortunately, our seafood consumption frequency is far below national dietary guidelines of eight servings per month. Seafood is one of nature’s best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack and Alzheimer’s Disease, guard against Rheumatoid Arthritis, and reduce depression.”

Canadians eat finfish an average of 3.7 times per month, and our average shellfish consumption frequency is 1.9 times per month. The survey found salmon to be the most popular fish among Canadian consumers.

The complete survey, which also includes Canadians’ opinions towards creating a national Aquaculture Act, is available online: http://www.aquaculture.ca/files/CAIA-PUBLIC-REPORT-May-2011.pdf

Note 1: Canada Food Guide: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/alt_formats/hpfb-dgpsa/pdf/food-guide-aliment/view_eatwell_vue_bienmang-eng.pdf

source: Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance

Scottish Salmon Industry Celebrates 40 Years of Production

Scotland's salmon sector is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first commercial farms in Scotland.

"The first commercial harvest of Scottish salmon was 14 tonnes back in 1971. Now, farmers grow 144,000 tonnes and it has become Scotland’s single largest food export." according to Professor Phil Thomas, Chairman of the Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO).

Scotland Salmon Farming Information:

The first commercial Scottish farmed salmon were harvested in Loch Ailort, near Fort William in 1971.

Fresh Scottish salmon exports reached record levels in 2010

The Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation represents 95% of salmon production.

Scotland’s salmon farmers injected in excess of £500 million into the economy in 2009.

SSPO members have invested over £113.5 million in capital projects over the last four years.

The Highlands and Islands continue to be the most significant beneficiaries.

1 million fresh salmon meals are eaten in the UK every day.

Salmon is the largest food export from Scotland.

For further information, visit www.scottishsalmon.co.uk

International Salmon Farmers Association Launches Salmon Farming Website

The International Salmon Farmers Association (ISFA) has unvealed its new website, www.salmonfarming.org, in a co-operative launch by its members around the world. Representatives from countries such as Norway, Scotland, Chile, United States and Canada have all contributed to the project.

According to ISFA, the site will help to educate the public about the benefits of salmon farming and bring together salmon farmers from around the world.

The website includes information about ISFA, salmon producing countries, the life cycle of farmed salmon and the shared vision for sustainable growth.

source: International Salmon Farmers Association

Label Rouge Scottish Salmon Exports

Exports of Label Rouge Scottish Salmon increased by 7 percent, rising from 7,251 tonnes in 2009 to 7,743 tonnes in 2010. Exports increased by 19 percent during 2009.

The Label Rouge accolade is awarded by the French Government to products of superior quality, particularly in relation to taste. Scottish salmon was the first non-French food to receive this accolade back in 1992.

Although originally dedicated to the French market, Label Rouge Scottish Salmon is acquiring international recognition for its superior quality and taste.  During the last twelve months interest has developed in new emerging European markets such as Germany, Belgium and Switzerland.  Label Rouge Scottish Salmon is also scheduled to be exhibited in the Middle East for the first time.

Friend of the Sea Certifies Sharat Industries Limited Whiteleg Shrimp

Whiteleg shrimps (Litopenaeus Vannamei), produced by Sharat Industries Limited have been certified as sustainable by Friend of the Sea.

Sharat Industries Ltd., engages in aquaculture and since 1994 has been an integrated project with a shrimp hatchery, aqua farm, feed mill and processing facilities.

In 2004, Sharat Industries was the first company in India to start the culture of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp to overcome the problem of white spot disease that is common in P. monodon shrimp, in India. The company produces fresh, frozen and cooked Litopenaeus Vannamei shrimp.

USA National Aquaculture Policy

On February 9, 2011, the Department of Commerce and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released complementary draft national aquaculture policies. The public is invited to comment on both draft policies for the next 60 days. 

According to the announcement:

 - Aquaculture plays a significant and growing role in global food production

 - Nearly half the fish consumed by people is produced by aquaculture

 - A significant portion of future increases in the global seafood supply will come from aquaculture products.

 -  The domestic aquaculture industry supplies only about 5 percent of the seafood Americans consume.

The draft Commerce Department policy supports the development of sustainable aquaculture within the context of the key Commerce goals of encouraging economic growth and employment opportunities in the United States.

Commerce and NOAA are accepting comments on the draft policies through April 11. Directions for submitting comments online are at http://aquaculture.noaa.gov.

Comments also may be submitted:

 * By fax to 301-713-9108 (Attn: Susan Bunsick)

 * By mail to:

NOAA Aquaculture Program
Attn: Public Comment
1315 East West Highway
SSMC3, Mail Code: F
13th Floor, Room 13152
Silver Spring, MD 20910

After the submitted comments have been reviewed, Commerce and NOAA will issue final national aquaculture policies.

source: NOAA press release

Celebration of Maryland Seafood in Annapolis MD

The Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will be co-hosting a “Celebration of Maryland Seafood” at the Boatyard Bar & Grill in Annapolis on Tuesday, Feb. 22 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.

The purpose of the dinner is to promote Maryland’s diverse and high quality seafood from the Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Coast and aquaculture industry through local restaurants,  grocers and other retail markets. By empowering the local seafood market, Maryland is building a sustainable fishery, reducing the industry’s carbon footprint and creating green jobs.

The evening includes a cocktail hour with raw bar and five-course meal featuring Maryland oysters, crabmeat, striped bass (rockfish) and yellow perch.

The event is hosted by the Boatyard Bar & Grill, Maryland Department of Agriculture and Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance and Natural Resources Secretary  John Griffin will be featured speakers.

Tickets are $40, which includes all food, tax and gratuity, and will be limited to the first 125 to reserve their spot. Call the Boatyard Bar & Grill at 410-216-6206 to RSVP and for more information.

source: Maryland Department of Agriculture

Ireland Seeks To Expand Aquaculture Production

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD and Minister of State, Sean Connick TD, met recently with the CEO of Marine Harvest, one of the world's biggest seafood companies to discuss the potential for significant expansion of the industry in Ireland.

The company's Irish fish farms, in Donegal, Mayo, Cork and Kerry, have been expanding production and hope to produce between 10 and 12,000 tonnes of salmon for export from Ireland this year.

The company has been increasingly moving to the production of premium organic salmon and this year expect that 70% of their Irish production will be sold in prime European markets as organically produced fish.

The company, which currently employs 250 people in Ireland and 5,000 worldwide sees significant potential to double production and employment in Ireland over the next ten years.

source: Ireland Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

UC Davis Study Finds Salmon Farms Not Harmful to Wild Salmon

A new UC Davis study contradicts earlier reports that salmon farms were responsible for the 2002 population crash of wild pink salmon in the Broughton Archipelago of western Canada.

The Broughton crash has become a rallying event for people concerned about the potential environmental effects of open-net salmon farming, which has become a $10 billion industry worldwide, producing nearly 1.5 million tons of fish annually.

The new study, to be published online in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, does not determine what caused the crash, but it acquits the prime suspect: small skin parasites called sea lice.

The study's lead author is Gary Marty, a veterinary pathologist and research associate at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. An expert in fish diseases, Marty has been studying the health of pink salmon since the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska.

"No significant effect on wild salmon"

"For anybody concerned about the effect of farm salmon on wild salmon, this is good news," Marty said. "Sea lice from fish farms have no significant effect on wild salmon population productivity."

source: University of California, Davis, News Service

Groups Oppose Genetically Engineered Salmon

According to a coalition of Canadian groups, Environment Canada refuses to confirm or deny if the department has already started a secret 120-day risk assessment to approve genetically engineered (GE) salmon egg production on Prince Edward Island. The groups also released a joint statement of “categorical objection” to the raising of GE fish and fish eggs (1).

Documents released in September by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that the US company AquaBounty is seeking approval to sell its GE salmon into the US food market based on a plan to produce all its GE salmon eggs on Prince Edward Island (PEI) and then ship the eggs to Panama for grow out and processing.

Following this revelation, groups made inquiries to Environment Canada but were told that any information about a possible risk assessment is confidential. The groups are calling for full disclosure and demanding that Environment Canada cease any approval process that may already be underway.

“We call on Environment Canada to reject any request for permission to commercially produce genetically engineered fish or fish eggs,” said Matthew Abbott, Fundy Baykeeper Coordinator, “Environment Canada needs to immediately inform Canadians if they have started an environmental assessment for GE salmon egg production. This secrecy is totally unacceptable.”

The joint statement of opposition to GE fish, “No GE Fish Research, Production, Consumption in, and Export from, Canada,” was signed by a wide range of groups from across Canada including the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, Ecology Action Centre Nova Scotia, the PEI Coalition for a GMO-Free Province, Fundy Baykeeper, Living Oceans Society, Pure Salmon Campaign, Fraser Riverkeeper, First Nations Environmental Network, Greenpeace, and the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network.

“Farmed fish can and do escape. Genetically engineered salmon is an unacceptable and unnecessary threat to endangered wild Atlantic salmon,” said Shauna MacKinnon of Living Oceans Society in BC. “When GE fish escape into wild populations, studies indicate that wild fish are at risk of decline.”

“We don’t want Prince Edward Island to be the global origin of dangerous GE salmon,” said Leo Broderick of the Council of Canadians on PEI. A coalition of PEI groups is asking Premier Robert Ghiz to intervene and insist on disclosure from Environment Canada (2). “It’s highly disturbing that we only found out about the company’s plans for Prince Edward Island from US consultations,” said Broderick who attended US FDA hearings in September.

The company AquaBounty has engineered a faster growing Atlantic salmon by inserting a growth hormone gene from Chinook salmon and genetic material from ocean pout (an eel-like creature).

“Documents released by the US government reveal that the company is assuming it will get permission to produce all of its GE salmon eggs in Canada,” said Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network. “Minister of Environment John Baird must take immediate action to stop genetically engineered salmon eggs from being produced in Canada. We have a global responsibility to protect Atlantic salmon from this dangerous technology.”

(1) The full statement opposing GE fish and list of signatory groups can be viewed at http://www.cban.ca/statementopposingGEfish

(2) The letter to the Premier of PEI can be viewed at http://www.cban.ca/PEIletter

source: cban.ca