NRAC Publication No. 103-2008

University of Maryland, 2113 Science Building College Park, Maryland 20742-2317 Telephone: 301-405-6085, FAX: 301-314-9412 E-mail: [email protected] Web: http://www.nrac.umd.edu

Marine Aquaculture Species for the Northeast Joe Buttner, Salem State College Gef Flimlin, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Don Webster, Maryland Cooperative Extension

Introduction Current Commercial Production Many aquatic and plants are cultured commer- 1. Hard clam or cially in the northeastern , while others have Northern qua- been grown for restoration or for use in research. Finfish, hog (Mercenar- shellfish, aquatic plants, and other organisms are cultured ia mercenaria) commercially and recreationally for food, bait, stocking, — The hard research, bioassay tests, ornamental markets, and instruc- clam is one of tional aids. Table 1 lists 33 species or varieties of marine the most widely animals and plants cultured in the region. No one species successful mol- dominates production: an animal or plant cultured suc- luscs cultivated cessfully in one system or location may prove impractical in and outside Hard clams, from left: little neck, top neck, or unprofitable in another. the region, from cherry, and chowder (Photograph by Dale This fact sheet describes major species currently in Massachusetts to Leavitt, Roger Williams University) commercial production, those that have shown potential, . Estab- and others now under experimental investigation. The lished markets exist and the product is recognized as a descriptions summarize culture methods and regulatory moderate to high price item in the restaurant trade, where considerations. Applicable regulations for proposed oper- the smallest, legally marketable clams bring the highest ations, particularly those that would employ non-native prices. Though hardy, they have been vulnerable to QPX, species or culture in public waters, can be obtained from a major disease that has diminished their prevalence. extension agents and specialists in your state. For a list of Adult clams are spawned under controlled condi- aquaculture extension contacts by state and current State tions. Larvae are maintained in a hatchery, fed specially Situation and Outlook Reports consult the NRAC website prepared algal diets, and raised in land-based upwellers, (http://nrac.umd.edu). tanks, or raceways. The nursery phase occurs on land or in the water. Spat or seed are stocked on the bottom in and either replanted on the bottom at much lower densi- coastal waters and grown to market size. Time to market ties than found in natural beds, or placed in long mesh size is site specific and varies widely: typically it takes sleeves suspended in the water column. Suspended culture two to five years to attain market-size, but improved of mussels using long-lines is increasingly popular and strains, good site selection, and proper management can yields a superior product. reduce culture time significantly. 4. Softshell clam or 2. Eastern oyster steamer (Mya are- (Crassostrea vir- naria) — These ginica) — Culture clams can be pro- techniques for oys- duced in large num- ters are well docu- bers using standard mented. Oysters hatchery techniques. have been farmed The market is strong in the Northeast for for steamed or fried over 100 years and product. Prices for Softshell clams (Mya arenaria) are grown com- steamers have risen: (Photograph by Joe Buttner) mercially through- coupled with the out the eastern Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) absence of MSX and Dermo diseases that plague Eastern United States and (Photograph by Sandy Rodgers, Mary- oysters and QPX disease that has attacked hard clams, land Sea Grant) the Gulf . there is renewed interest and expanded production of soft Recent advances in clams from Maine to Massachusetts. genetics have led to the production of selected lines and A modest but growing industry exists in New Eng- triploids that survive better in areas where diseases have land where softshell clam spat or seed are stocked on depleted natural populations and have led to shorter pro- raked substrates and covered with predator exclusion net- duction cycles. ting. It takes approximately two years from stocking to Oyster seed or eyed larvae may be purchased and harvest. “set” on appropriate substrates by the process known as “remote setting.” “Set” oysters may be cultured directly 5. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) — Cultured commer- on the bottom or off bottom in racks. Essential manage- cially for nearly three decades, this species now consti- ment efforts include controlling predators, grading by tutes the majority of all salmon consumed globally. While size, periodic cleaning, and ensuring good water quality most coastal waters in the Northeast are too warm to sup- and flow. The greatest impediments to oyster culture are port net pen culture of salmon, a major salmon industry disease, restrictive laws, and regulations (i.e., Federal, exists in northern New England. Many coastal communi- state, local), and theft. Prospective culturists should thor- ties in Maine have benefited greatly from net pen culture oughly research potential sites. of salmon. Typically, adult salmon are spawned, eggs incubated, 3. Blue mussel and resultant immature raised in land-based, freshwa- (Mytilus edulis) — ter systems. When salmon fingerlings smolt and transform Through aggressive from a freshwater to marine fish, they are transferred to marketing, the demand and retail price for mussels has improved steadily. Most mussels are cultured in Maine, with offshore demon- stration projects on- going in New Hampshire and Massa- Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) (Photograph by Joe Buttner) chusetts. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) (Photograph by Chris Bartlett, There is no hatchery phase for commercial cultiva- Maine Sea Grant College Program/University of Maine tion. Recently “set” wild spat are collected from nature Cooperative Extension)

2 net pens in coastal waters and grown to market-size. The ing of blue crabs in a industry is heavily regulated and considerable capital is hatchery and rearing them needed to setup and operate a commercial scale farm. to juvenile stages. The resulting production has 6. Macroalgae, been used for restocking most notably nori and population studies. seaweed (Porphyra Profitable commercial pro- sp.) — Cultured in duction of hard crabs has Blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) (Photograph from www.ag. Maine, microalgae not been demonstrated, auburn.edu/fish) are under study for largely due to the cannibal- use as a finishing istic nature of the animal. A high-value market does exist biofilter around for “soft shell” crabs — the soft shell stage occurs imme- net pens and as a diately after molting. Crabs with body signs indicating an lipid substitute in impending molt (peeler crabs) are collected from the wild fish feeds. While and held in shallow tanks until they emerge from their the potential of Nori seaweed (Porphyra sp.) shell — the shedding systems are fairly simple and the macroalgae in inte- (Photograph by Joe Buttner) potential for commercial success is good, provided an grated aquaculture is strong, commercial viability for pro- adequate supply of high quality and reasonably priced duction of as a single crop throughout the Northeast peeler crabs is readily available. remains to be demonstrated. 3. European oys- Potential Commercial Species ter (Ostrea edulis) — Cultured in the 1. Bay scallop Northeast, this (Argopecten ir- species is tricky to radians) — produce in the These scallops hatchery and vul- can be cultured nerable to Bon- in the hatchery amia disease in the or obtained from field. No commer- the wild. Rela- cial production tively little atten- occurs at this time. tion has been Investigations to directed to their define and refine culture. Over- hatchery, nursery, European oysters (Ostrea edulis) (Photograph by Joe Buttner) winter survival Bay scallops (Argopecten irradians) (Photo- and growout tech- can be problem- graph by Rick Karney, Martha’s Vineyard niques are ongoing. atic in the North- Shellfish Group) east; in addition, 4. Marine and invertebrates for the pet industry scallops can move, so containing them is a challenge. — As with freshwater ornamental fish, much production Lantern nets have been used to culture scallops in Asia, is diffuse and occurs in basements and garages. Commer- though similar efforts in the United States have proven too labor intensive for commercial success. Some production in lantern nets and bags occurs in Massachusetts and New York for enhancing wild populations. Subtidal culture in racks and use of a predator fence to restrict dispersal are being investigated. Prospective culturists should carefully assess the management and economics of scallop culture before proceeding.

2. Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) — Long popular in the Clownfish (Premnas sp.) (Photograph by Bud Borque, Roger marketplace, recent research has led to successful spawn- Williams University)

3 cial operations exist in Maine and Maryland. Consider- been defined. At this time, it is unclear how or whether able potential exists for expanded production of these and culture techniques can be pursued commercially. other marine organisms for aquarium hobbyists, particu- larly in modest-size recirculating systems. However, 2. American lob- because culture procedures are established for only a few ster (Homarus species, culture of ornamentals must be viewed as americanus) — experimental. This species is regarded as an ani- 5. Mummichog mal with potential ( het- for aquaculture eroclitus) — because of high This species is economic value. an extremely Key problems are hardy fish with its cannibalistic established mar- nature and rela- American lobster (Homarus americanus) kets as a live bait tively long grow- (Photograph courtesy of the New Eng- and for use in out time of five to land Lobster Research and Rearing research labora- Mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus) seven years. Pub- Facility) tories. Recently, (Photograph by Joe Buttner) lic hatcheries have several north- cultured lobsters to a juvenile stage for stock enhancement eastern states have expressed interest in growing the and for population studies. Private attempts at culture can- mummichog. Culture procedures should be relatively not be recommended at this time. easy to define, though competition with abundant, wild harvested fish could prove problematic. 3. Marine finfish tra- ditionally pursued by 6. Sandworm (e.g., commercial fishers: Nereis virens) — American halibut Cultured on a limited (Hippoglossus hippo- basis in Maine as a glossus), Atlantic cod live bait and food for (Gadus morhua), cobia fish, worms are (Rachycentron cana- grown intensively in dum), summer floun- Flounder (Paralichthyes dentatus) (Photograph from www.ag. tanks. While mar- der (Paralichthyes auburn.edu/fish) kets exist, further dentatus), American analysis is needed to shad (Alosa sapidissima) — American shad has been cul- assess depth and Sandworm (Nereis virens) tured for enhancing wild populations. Research on cul- breadth of demand. (Photograph by Joe Buttner) ture techniques, nutrition, and genetics is required before these fish can be considered for commercial aquaculture.

Experimental Species 4. Sea scallop (Placo- 1. Atlantic clam or pecten magellanicus)— Surf clam (Spisula Extremely popular in the solidissimia) — Grown Northeast, the sea scallop occasionally in the commands a premium Northeast, surf clams price. In addition to shar- are being farmed exper- ing many of the same imentally in Maine, challenges to culture as where they have been the bay scallop, it takes Sea scallops (Placopecten magel- successfully cultured Atlantic clam (Spisula solidissimia) two to three times longer lanicus) (Photograph by Dana (Photograph by Joe Buttner) Morse, Maine Sea Grant College through hatchery and to attain market size. Program, University of Maine nursery phases. Grow- While potentially attrac- Cooperative Extension) out requires cold water and culture procedures have not tive because of consumer

4 demand, the sea scallop cannot be recommended for com- References mercial aquaculture at this time. Several relevant fact sheets are available on the culture of different species from the North Central Regional Aqua- 5. Green sea culture Center (www.ncrac.org) and Southern Regional urchin (Strong- Aquaculture Center (www.msstate.edu/dept/srac). The ylocentrotus droe- fact sheets are accessible and may be downloaded from bachiensis) — Center websites. The Aquaculture Network Information With the over- Center (http://aquanic. org) provides access to many aqua- exploitation of wild culture resources. sea urchins for export to oriental markets, interest in Acknowledgments their culture has This work was conducted with the support expanded. Investi- of the Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus gations on the droebackiensis) (Photograph by Ted Center, through grant number 2004-38500- aquaculture poten- Maney, Northeastern University) 14589 from the Cooperative State Re- tial have been initi- search, Education, and Extension Service, ated in Maine and at least three hatcheries are producing U.S. Department of Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, urchins for biological experiments and stock enhance- conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publi- ment. Commercial production is problematic and not like- cation are those of the authors and do not necessarily ly in the near future. reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This fact sheet was prepared with assistance from the Maryland Sea Grant College.

5 Table 1. Marine animals and plants cultured in the Northeastern United States. Importance in northeast (M=major species, S=second- ary species, D=demonstration species, E=experimental species) and systems used (I=in substrate, O=on substrate, R=in rafts, bags or lantern nets, LL=long-line, N=net pens, L=land-based recirculating systems) are indicated.

Common Name Scientific Name Importance System Molluscs Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica M O,R European oyster Ostrea edulis S O,R Northern quahog (hard clam) Mercenaria mercenaria M I,O Softshell clam Mya arenaria S I Bay scallop Argopecten irradians E R,LL Sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus E O Blue mussel Mytilus edulis M O,LL Atlantic (or Surf) clam Spisula solidissimia E O Fish Atlantic salmon Salmo salar M N American shad Alosa sapidissima E L Atlantic cod Gadus morhua D L,N Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus E L,N Paralichthyes dentatus D L,N Cobia Rachycentron canadum D L,N Mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus D/S L Clownfish Premnas sp. D/S L Clarkii clownfish clarkia D/S L Amphiprion frenatus D/S L Percula clownfish Amphiprion percula D/S L Amphiprion melanopus D/S L Neon aldabraensis D/S L Sunrise dottyback Pseudochromis flavivertex D/S L Orchid dottyback D/S L Splendid dottyback Pseudochromis splendens D/S L Common seahorse Hippocampus kuda D/S L Angelfish Pterophyllum scalare D/S L Penaeid shrimp Penaeidae D L Blue crab Callinectes sapidus D L American Lobster Homarus americanus D L Annelids Sandworm Nereis virens S T Echinoderms Green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis D T Cnidarians Soft Alcyonacea sp. E L Algae Nori seaweed Porphyra sp. S R