{"id":13514,"date":"2021-05-20T17:02:05","date_gmt":"2021-05-20T21:02:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/news\/?p=13514"},"modified":"2021-05-20T17:02:05","modified_gmt":"2021-05-20T21:02:05","slug":"economic-impact-of-shellfish-aquaculture-surpasses-wild-harvest-for-first-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/economic-impact-of-shellfish-aquaculture-surpasses-wild-harvest-for-first-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Economic Impact of Shellfish Aquaculture Surpasses Wild Harvest for First Time"},"content":{"rendered":"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact:<\/em> Cultivated, or farmed, shellfish now represent over half of the total economic impact of shellfish in the state.<\/p>\n New research<\/a> has found that North Carolina\u2019s shellfish industry provides over $27 million in economic impact and 532 jobs in the state. Until 2016, the industry\u2019s economic impact primarily came from the harvest of wild oysters and clams.<\/p>\n In 2019, farmed oysters contributed over $14 million to state gross domestic product and 271 jobs, according to research published by Eric Edwards of NC State University\u2019s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.<\/p>\n The findings stem from a collaborative project<\/a> led by North Carolina Sea Grant in partnership with researchers at NC State University, Appalachian State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and funded by the N.C. Commercial Fishing Resource Fund Grant Program.<\/p>\n \u201cThe goal of the research was to better understand the economic impact of North Carolina\u2019s seafood industry,\u201d says Jane Harrison, North Carolina Sea Grant\u2019s coastal economics specialist and a project lead. \u201cThe shellfish results indicate the strength of the growing aquaculture sector.\u201d<\/p>\n Supply and demand of farmed oysters have risen exponentially in North Carolina over the past five years. \u201cRestaurants that once only served out-of-state shellfish now proudly advertise multiple N.C. oyster varieties,\u201d Harrison says.<\/p>\n Farmed oysters are typically sold on the half-shell, whereas wild oysters are more common at oyster roasts and often already shucked.<\/p>\n Opportunities to try local shellfish can be found along the NC Oyster Trail<\/a>, a recent partnership that showcases oyster growers, seafood restaurants, and seafood festivals and events throughout the state.<\/p>\n
\nJane Harrison, jane_harrison@ncsu.edu<\/a><\/em>
\nKatie Mosher, kmosher@ncsu.edu<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n