Portfolio III: Fisheries and Seafood Production

Targeted Issue: Development of Hard Clam Aquaculture Industry in Maryland's Seaside Bays

The Issue

Maryland's seaside bays have long taken a back seat to the Chesapeake when it comes to the use of living resources. The coastal area, which once provided a living for watermen harvesting shellfish, was devastated by the initial epizootic of MSX and ceased to be a viable oyster producing area. Recently, watermen using hard clam escalator dredges have been increasingly restricted, due to concerns about their impacts on submerged aquatic vegetation. Hard clam aquaculture in neighboring states has reached the point of supporting multimillion dollar industries. Since conditions approximate those found here, and with strong markets for locally produced products, a hard clam aquaculture industry could be developed in the area. SGEP, with its reputation for quality aquaculture development work, is poised to provide the catalyst for such development to occur.

Our Response

Initially, two persons interested in developing shellfish culture in the area were consulted. Their sites were assessed and initial experiments were designed to test systems. One site was set up as a nursery for obtaining small clam and oyster seed and raising them to plantable size. The other was tested with three types of grow out methods for hard clams. A one-year survey assessment for the clam disease QPX was carried out and linked to one that had previously been completed in Virginia. Other funding sources were developed which allowed leveraging of Maryland Sea Grant funds. Public officials were educated in order to update leasing procedures for the developing industry, and economic development officials were included in activities for additional support. Agricultural educators helped to provide public outreach opportunities for the project and continuing evaluation of results and opportunities for future expansion has consistently taken place. Maryland Sea Grant is currently funding a research project by Anderson and McGladdery (R/F-91) on understanding the host-pathogen interface for QPX and the hard clam.

Managing for Success

project has brought together many technical and funding sources, targeted at a focused area. Initial funding was provided by Maryland Sea Grant Extension through time and travel support for its Area Educator and Shellfish Specialist. University of University of Maryland Extension (MCE) provided a $5,000 Extension Project Development Grant for outreach opportunity enhancement. Maryland Sea Grant provided a $5,000 allocation for the completion of a survey of QPX in hard clam populations in Maryland's seaside bays. The laboratory work was carried out in conjunction with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) so that their study and the Maryland one would be coordinated. The Maryland Industrial Partnership (MIPS) program funded a two year project to develop a shellfish nursery in conjunction with development of the industry. Recently, talks with economic development officials have led to plans for including other potential growers in the project. Discussions have been carried out with several commercial shellfish hatcheries in the region for cooperative information.

Achievements

Initial nursery grow out at both sites have indicated strong growth and survival for properly maintained animal populations. Findings of the QPX survey were negative for both wild clam populations as well as currently held cultured animals. These findings have been communicated to the industry and will be more widely disseminated through a newspaper that reaches the commercial waterman population on a monthly basis. MIPS reviews of Year One funding have been favorable and have resulted in Year Two funds being approved and available for the shellfish nursery operation. Results of the grow out trials have been communicated through the Maryland Aquafarmer, the program newsletter targeting the commercial aquaculture industry. Presentations on the project have been given at industry and scientific conferences by oral as well as poster methods.

Impacts

While the first two hard clam operations have been technologically successful, full economic and environmental viability needs to be maintained in order to attract other producers to the industry. The prospects for this venture are very bright at present. Technical problems connected to the nursery seawater intake system are continuing to be assessed but strong market sales of products have been established. The ability to test for QPX has been developed within Maryland and plans for continued monitoring of aquacultured products are underway, along with grow out trials that have shown the area to be suitable for the raising of shellfish. While hard clams will continue to provide the strongest grow out potential, the sale of oyster seed has also been realized as a commercially viable product. Joint programs and projects with local and state economic development officials and local agriculture agents have led to strong indication of interest by others in the area and a strong potential for support by local elected officials in shellfish aquaculture.