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Thinking of Growing Shellfish? | Acquiring a Lease | Planting to Harvest | Financial Considerations | Pertinent Laws and Rules

So You Are Thinking of Growing Shellfish?
This presentation given at a conference session for beginning aquaculturists provides a national overview of shellfish aquaculture.  Things to be considered:

• What shellfish to grow?
• Where to locate your farm?
• How to grow your shellfish?
• Where to get your seed?
• How to sell your product?

Acquiring a Shellfish Aquaculture Lease
Clams are primarily grown in estuarine or inshore coastal waters on submerged lands leased from the State of Florida.  The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) Division of Aquaculture administers the shellfish aquaculture lease program.  Leases are 10-year term and renewable with an initial application and annual rental fees.  Currently, shellfish aquaculture leases are located in 11 coastal counties.  In most counties, individual leases are grouped into Aquaculture Use Areas (also known as high-density lease areas).  Leases can be transferred or sub-leased upon approval of the agency.  In addition, leaseholders may authorize individuals to use, or "share crop", their leases.  Individuals may also nominate potential lease sites.  The Florida's Aquaculture Lease Program provides detailed information on the steps involved in identifying a site, describing the proposed activity and developing a business plan, as well as information on the process, which includes site visits, resource survey, agency review, public notice, and authorization by the Governor and Cabinet.

Planting Seed to Harvesting Clams
The following presentations were given at workshops for new growers and provide basic information on the various aspects of starting a clam farming operation.

The Basics of Buying, Handling, and Planting Clam Seed
Learn about the following:

• Certification and best management practices
• Lease markers and boat requirements
• Clam seed suppliers and discriptors
• How to transport and handle seed
• Water conditions at lease sites
• Clam bag sizes and suppliers
• Stocking rates for nursery and growout seed
• Planting strategies and growth rates
• Survival and predator protection

The Basics of Handling, Harvesting, and Selling Clams
Learn about the following:

• Shellfish harvesting areas
• State and federal harvesting requirements
• Boat and vehicle requirements
• How to harvest and handle clam product
• Harvesting strategies and market sizes
• Where to sell your clams

Biology and Anatomy of the Hard Clam
Learn about the animal being cultured, including taxonomy, anatomy, and biology.

Financial Considerations

Financial Feasibility Analysis for a Clam Culture Operation
A small-scale commercial culture operation of hard clams was assessed using baseline assumptions application for a 2-acre lease in southwest Florida.  The analysis suggests that this size operation can produce 600,000 clams each year and realize a net return of about $19,000 per year.  Assumptions include planting one million seed per year, seed costs of $8 per thousand, overall survival of 56%, and market price of $0.09 per littleneck clam (based on 2003 dockside prices).  Although the study is dated, sensitivity analysis on seed price, market price, and survival rate demonstrates how changes to these variables influence the "bottom line", or net return to the grower.

Economic Impact of the Commercial Hard Clam Culture Industry in Florida
A UF study found that the impact of the cultured hard clam industry on the state's economy in 2007 was about $52 million.  Findings also include information on the regional distribution of clam sales by growers and processors (shellfish wholesalers), processor sales by type of buyer, and economic impact estimates on output, value-added, labor income, other property income, indirect business taxes and employment relative to three defined growing regions and the state of Florida.

Risk Management in Clam Farming
Like terrestrial farming, shellfish aquaculture has risks that are beyond the control of the grower.  These include flood events which lower the salinity at the farm site, hurricanes, storms, and other perils.  The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Programs (NAP), administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), provides catastrophic coverage of noninsurable crops, including clams, when low yields or loss of inventory occur due to natural disasters.  The crop year runs from October 1 through September 30.  You must apply and pay the applicable service fee at your FSA local office by September 1 of each year.

Pertinent Laws and Rules

Florida Aquaculture Policy Act, Chapter 597, FS
The legislative intent and declaration of public policy, powers and duties of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, aquaculture certificate of registration, prohibited acts and penalties, cultured shellfish theft reward program, Aquaculture Review Council, shellfish leases and processors are provided for in this statute.
State Lands, Chapter 253, FS
The policies, conditions, and criteria for using sovereign lands for aquacultural production are provided in this statute with authorization for their use from the Governor and Cabinet.
Aquaculture Best Management Practices, Chapter 5L-3, FAC
Application procedures and best management practices to be followed by aquaculture producers in order to obtain an aquaculture certificate of registration from DACS are established in this rule.
Sovereignty Submerged Lands Management, Chapter 18-21, FAC
The responsibilities of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund for the administration, management, and disposition of state-owned lands for shellfish harvesting and aquaculture are provided in this rule.
Comprehensive Shellfish Control Code, Rule Chapter 5L-1, FAC
Regulations and specifications implemented by DACS relating to sanitary practices for the harvesting, handling, processing, and storing of molluscan shellfish products are detailed in this rule.