New Opportunity for Oyster Mariculture in Texas John Scarpa, Ph.D. NMFS Oyster Landings – 2017 (~$222M+) confidential WA (Cg) $1.7M $6.7M ME OR (Cg) $28.4M MA $5.8M RI $1.4M NY $0.7M DE $10.4M MD $49.3M VA $5.6M NC $2.6M SC $0.6M AL $0.2M GA $20.4M TX $0.3M $0.2M $5.2M $84.4M MS FL East FL West LA https://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/united_states/usa_blank.jpg Texas Oyster Landings (25 yrs) BP Ike Spring Rains NMFS fisheries data USDA Oyster Aquaculture – 2018 (~$285M) $55.8M WA (Cg) $0.2M NH $19.6M $7.2M ME OR (Cg) $21.7M MA $5.0M - RI $?M CT $?M NY $4.2M NJ $0M DE $28.7M $?M MD CA (Cg) $62.3M VA $1.2M NC $0.65M SC $0.01M AL $0M GA $0M TX $0M $?M $?M FL East $?M $29.0M MS FL West HI $1.7M AK LA https://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/united_states/usa_blank.jpg (eyed-larvae) On shell or cultch https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/getFactSheet/whichfactsheet/92/ STAGES FOR THE CULTIVATION OF BIVALVE MOLLUSCS ➢ HATCHERY (controlled conditions) Land-based (controlled) ➢ NURSERY Field-based (natural) ➢ GROW-OUT (natural conditions) MICROALGAE (phytoplankton) SPAWNED OYSTERS ♂ ♀ LARVAE CULTURE Setting Tanks Larvae Tanks LAND-BASED UPWELLER SYSTEMS http://ccesuffolk.org/events/2019/04/17/spat-workshops-scmelc-southold http://www.oysterssa.com.au/an-oysters-life Floating Upweller System Spat Seed “BOTTOM” CULTURE MID-COLUMN CULTURE FLOATING CULTURE Photo: Courtesy Leslie Sturmer, Florida Dr. Sammy Ray and Charlotte Ray (NSA 2012) Dr. Leonard DiMichele (2014) Texas House Bill 1300 Texas Senate Bill 682 Sponsored by Representatives: Sponsored by Senator: Todd Hunter Lois Kolkhorst Eddie Lucio Dade Phelan John Cyrier Geanie Morrison William Metcalf Ina Minjarez Leo Pacheco John Raney Cultivated Oyster Mariculture Legislation • Introduces a new chapter within the Code: Ch. 75 Cultivated Oyster Mariculture • Allows wholesale and retail fish dealers to purchase oysters from producers holding a “cultivated oyster mariculture permit” • Defines terms associated with it (e.g., “broodstock oyster”, “cultivated oyster”, etc.) • Stipulates that oysters that are part of a cultivated oyster mariculture operation is not a natural oyster bed or a private oyster bed and is not subject to location requirements under Subchapter A, Chapter 76 • The TPWD Commission will adopt rules related to establishing a cultivated oyster mariculture program • Requires shellfish aquaculture permit Where to site your shellfish farm? Biology of the Species Site / Physical THE Sociological / Characteristics SITE Operational Factors Leasing / Permitting Requirements Courtesy Leslie Sturmer Questions?.