The U.S. Wholesale Market for Marine Ornamentals

The market for marine ornamentals encompasses all live marine species (fish and invertebrates) destined for the aquarium trade. In 1998, U.S. imports and exports were valued at approximately US $1.5 billion at the border (all dollar values cited in this paper are $US). In Florida, cultured freshwater and collected saltwater species accounted for $70 million and $4 million, respectively, in annual dockside revenue. To help explain Florida's marine landings and provide suggestions for future resource management and market campaigns that reflect the perceptions of the industry, a survey of wholesalers was initiated in 1999. Preliminary results indicate that there are several intermediate wholesale markets. Florida firms are closer to the supply as many also collect. Wholesalers in other states handle more freshwater product, are larger, and tend to import a larger share of their inventory. Consolidation is expected to continue, but niche markets for eco-friendly firms are expected to grow. In Florida, marketing strategies should focus on the observed higher survival rates and increasing supply of the popular invertebrate species. Many wholesalers are concerned about additional regulations that could reduce the number of collectors and thereby increase supply variability, a noted weakness of the Florida industry.     

An Econometric Estimation of Market Growth for the U.S. Processed Catfish Industry

Inadequate information pertaining to the growth potential of the US. processed catfish industry has been a major factor leading to cyclical periods of excess supply or demand resulting in misal-location of resources and price instability. Better information for industry planners (e.g., producers, processors, government regulatory agencies, and university researchers) on future sales potential would assist in decreasing the misuse of resources. An econometric model of wholesale demand for US. processed catfish was developed to provide estimates of future sales under various scenarios. In addition to the standard variables included in models of demand for food items—price, income, and population—the effects of product life cycle and industry-sponsored generic advertising are quantitatively incorporated. Seasonality of demand and rigidities in marketing and consumer behavior are additional considerations explicitly modeled via monthly dummy variables and a Ner-lovian partial adjustment mechanism, respectively.
Model results indicate the impact of alternative future price scenarios on wholesale processed caffish sales. At the mean real wholesale price of $1.60 (December 1988 dollars) for whole-dressed caffish and a real generic advertising expenditure of one million dollars postulated for 1995, projected aggregate sales are 219.2 million pounds, a 23% increase over 1989 sales. Projected 1995 wholesale sales are very sensitive to price with alternative price postulations of $1.40 and $1.80 resulting in projected sales of 252.3 and 193.6 million processed pounds, respectively. An estimated 7% average increase in wholesale sales of catfish was attributed to the industry-sponsored generic advertising campaign. Model projection estimates and impacts are posed as a quantitative source of information to be used with other information in resource allocation issues faced by industry decision makers.     

Influence of Congeneric Aquaculture on Hard Clam (Mercenaria spp.) Population Genetic Structure

Throughout their range, hard clams of the genus Mercenaria support important commercial fisheries, and hard clam aquaculture is rapidly developing in several regions, including Florida, USA. Commercial hard clam aquaculture in Florida waters originated in the Indian River Lagoon during the late 1970s, but by the early 1990s the focus of the industry had shifted to Cedar Key on the west coast of the state. There, the species Mercenaria campechiensis predominates the natural hard clam population, whereas Mercenaria mercenaria is predominant in the local aquaculture industry. The two species hybridize extensively. The present study was conducted to estimate the genetic implications of M. mercenaria aquaculture on the natural population of M. campechiensis that occupies Cedar Key waters. We sampled a variety of marine and estuarine habitats surrounding Cedar Key and collected 257 hard clams for analysis of species-specific diagnostic allozyme loci, age, and the presence and stage of gonadal neoplasia. Results indicate that the composition of the hard clam population has changed since the advent of aquaculture (i.e., post-aquaculture). Members of the species M. mercenaria were practically nonexistent prior to the 1993 initiation of aquaculture in the area but increased significantly in abundance post-aquaculture, as did hybrid hard clams. There was no significant difference in the abundance of M. campechiensis pre- versus post-aquaculture. All genotype classes had a high incidence (>80%) of gonadal neoplasia, although it is not clear if this high incidence is a reflection of the introduction of aquaculture into the area or if neoplasia was a common feature of the population prior to 1993. Regardless, this finding is not consistent with previous reports that neoplasia is more common in hybrid hard clams. Overall, the results of this study provide clear evidence that culture of M. mercenaria can influence the genotype composition of naturally occurring congeneric populations in the vicinity of the culture operation. The long-term implications of that influence remain to be seen.     

Adding value to live, commercial size soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria L.) in Maine, USA: results from repeated, small-scale, field impoundment trials

The soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria L.) fishery in the state of Maine, USA, is worth $5–10 million annually and is primarily based on the sale of live individuals. More than 80% of the catch is sold for the “steamer clam” market that is highly seasonal due to supply and demand. Prices paid to harvesters for live clams throughout the year increases by as much as 70% during a 4-month period between early spring and late summer. If clams harvested in the spring could be held until late summer, a value-added product could be developed in this fishery. From April to August 1996, at an intertidal and subtidal location in eastern Maine, I tested whether it was biologically feasible to impound commercially harvested clams (shell LENGTH=44–75 mm) at densities between 720 and 850/m² using cages and nets (1.12 m²) to protect animals from predators. Survival was 91.7% (n=12) and 91.6% (n=6) at the intertidal and subtidal site, respectively. There was no discernible shell growth during this period and there was no difference between initial and final clam weights. The methodology was transferred to commercial harvesters in two Maine communities: Wiscasset (1997 and 1998) and Perry (2000). Impounded clams ( =21.8 kg/cage; n=18) lost, on average, 5 kg/cage in 1997 and 1998, whereas no significant net loss in wet weight occurred in cages deployed in 2000 ( =23.2 kg/cage; n=3). Differing harvesting and handling methods of individual clammers, prior to impounding clams, likely explains the variation in weight lost during the impounding periods. The difference in price per live kilogram between the beginning of the impounding period and the August sale date resulted in an average gain of $13.60/cage for clammers in 1997 and 1998 and $57.73/cage in 2000. Simple culture techniques can be used to increase the value of the live harvest of soft-shell clams along the coast of Maine. Clam impoundments may be a way for communities that co-manage the public clam resource with the state's marine resource agency to generate funds to pay for traditional management schemes, as well as enhancement programs that employ hatchery-reared juveniles. In addition, an indirect benefit of clam impoundments might be to create spawner sanctuaries since animals are impounded during the time when gamete release occurs.     

The contribution of the pet turtle industry to the Louisiana economy

Abstract

Aquaculture makes a substantial contribution to economic activity in Louisiana. The Louisiana pet turtle industry is a less well‐known aquaculture industry, which contributes substantially to economic activity, especially at the local level. A modified version of an input‐output model, constructed with IMPLAN, is used to evaluate the industry's impact on the state economy. The industry is estimated to generate $9.703 million in total output, $4.696 million in Gross State Product, $3.625 million in labour income and 882 jobs in the Louisiana economy. This impact would be expected to be pronounced in smaller towns. A recently developed use of the industrial chemical Vantocil could lead to the lifting of the ban by the FDA on the domestic sale of baby pet turtles. Such a development should result in significant growth in the pet turtle industry, which would in turn enhance its contribution to the economy of Louisiana communities.     

The Economic Impact of the Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Industry on Chicot County,Arkansas

Abstract

This study analyzed the contribution of the catfish industry to the economy of Chicot County, Arkansas, using an input-output model. The objective was to quantify the economic contribution of the industry in terms of creating new dollars, jobs, and income to the local community. Mail surveys and personal interviews were used to collect data from catfish farmers, processors and other businesses related to the catfish industry. For farmers, the information solicited included production and marketing costs, sales and employment. Out of approximately 85 questionnaires administered to catfish farms, 44 usable questionnaires were obtained for a response rate of 52%. Businesses directly related to the catfish industry provided information on employment and sales and included: processors, seiners and haulers, pond builders, tractor and equipment dealers, and feed bin manufacturers. Other businesses with indirect ties to the catfish industry included: input supply companies, banks, fertilizer and chemical companies, auto shops, electricians, and bookkeeping firms. The survey data were used to modify the IMPLAN database for Chicot County to reflect the 2001 level of catfish production, processing and services available to support the industry. This database was then used to estimate the economic impact of the industry to the county's economy. In 2001, the 85 catfish farmers in the county operated about 7,859 ha (19,500 acres). The farm-gate value of catfish production exceeded $63 million. Employment on catfish farms was approximately 510. In addition, 59 other businesses depended on the catfish industry. Results indicated that total employment created in Chicot County by businesses directly or indirectly involved with the catfish industry was 2,665 jobs. This represented 48% of all employment in Chicot County. Total tax revenue (federal, state, and local taxes) generated from both direct and indirect catfish businesses was $22 million. Combined, the total economic impact of the catfish industry in Chicot County, including direct, indirect and induced effects, was over $384 million. The output multiplier calculated for live catfish production was 6.05. Thus, each $1 of earnings by catfish farms generated $6.05 total economic activity in the Chicot County economy. If current economic difficulties should result in contractions in catfish acreage in Chicot County by 10%, unemployment rates would increase by 2%. This study demonstrates the importance of the catfish industry to the economy of Chicot County.     

Cryopreservation of trochophore larvae from the hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria: Evaluation of the cryoprotectant toxicity,cooling rate and thawing temperature

Aquaculture of hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria is a $65 million industry along the east coast and Gulf of Mexico coast in the United States. The goal of this study was to develop a preliminary protocol to cryopreserve trochophore larvae of hard clams. The objectives were to evaluate the: 1) toxicity of cryoprotectants, including dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and glycerol, at 5, 10, 15 and 20% for exposure time of 1, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 min; 2) effects of cooling rates (5, 10, 20 and 30°C/min for the first trial; and 1, 3 and 5°C/min for second trial from 4 to ?80°C), thawing temperature (30, 40 and 50°C) and their interactions on post‐thaw viability. A basic protocol was concluded as: 15‐hr trochophore larvae mixed with DMSO or propylene glycol (5, 10%), equilibrated for 15 min, cooled in a programmable freezer from 4 to ?80°C at a cooling rate of 5°C/min and thawed at 50°C for 6 s. With this protocol, the immediate post‐thaw trochophore survival was 23 ± 14%, and survival to D‐stage was 27 ± 14%. This is the first report on larval cryopreservation in the hard clam and would have application for genetic breeding and seed production.     

Physical properties of soft shell clams, Mya arenaria

Soft shell clams, Mya arenaria, are found from Canada to North Carolina on the U.S. Atlantic Coast and from Canada to California on the U.S. West Coast. They are also found in several other parts of the world including Europe. The primary market for these clams on the U.S. East Coast is in New England. Clams are sold whole live or in one of the several cooked forms. Commercial soft clam shucking and processing is primarily by manual methods. However, physical properties data for these clams is lacking and is a constraint on the automation of processing. Several properties of soft shell clams harvested from five different harvest locations in the Chesapeake Bay are detailed in this paper and relationships between the components of the clam are defined mathematically through regression equations. The live weight and the clam length are related to shell weight, siphon weight, meat weight, total solids and free water in the clams. Meat yields under both standard processing methods and for clams steamed and consumed with only the shell removed are detailed. The effect of harvest area on the clam parts is also defined. Soft shell clams shucked manually result in a meat yield of approximately 29% of the live weight. If steamed and eaten the meat yield may be as high as 43% of the live weight, primarily because the siphon is often consumed in steamed clams.     

Effects of Culture Area,Stocking Density,and Shrimp and Fish Polyculture on the Cost Efficiency of Hard Clam,Meretrix meretrix,Culture: A Case Study of Hard Clam Farms in Yunlin,Taiwan

Using the hard clam farms in Yunlin, Taiwan as examples, this study analyzes the effects of culture area, stocking density, and shrimp and fish polyculture on the cost efficiency (CE) of hard clam farming. A data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to estimate the farms' technical efficiency (TE), allocative efficiency (AE), and CE values. The findings show that the mean TE, AE, and CE values of hard clam farms are 0.74, 0.57, and 0.43, respectively. The TE value is higher than the AE value, which indicates that cost inefficiency is mainly attributable to poor AE. Tobit regression results suggest that there are positive relationships between CE and both culture area and operator experience. Hard clam stocking density and age of the operators have negative effects on CE. Hard clam culture areas larger than 2 ha and a stocking density of 1.1–1.2 million hard clams per hectare have higher CEs than smaller culture areas and smaller or larger stocking densities. The use of sand shrimp, white shrimp, kuruma shrimp, and grass shrimp for polyculture and the use of milkfish and silver sea bream for polyculture are both associated with high CEs.     

文蛤红色选育系幼贝滤水率响应面法分析

为比较文蛤红壳色选育系与江苏野生群体在不同条件下滤水率的差异并找出文蛤最佳滤水率条件,采用了试验生态学方法和响应面法对文蛤红壳色选育系幼贝进行滤水率的研究。试验结果显示,在一定范围内,文蛤幼贝滤水率随盐度、温度和藻类密度的增加而增大,超过一定范围,幼贝滤水率随盐度、温度和藻类密度的增加而减小;在同等条件下,文蛤红壳色选育系幼贝与野生群体滤水率无显著差异,但文蛤红壳色选育系生长速率显著高于野生群体;通过响应面法优化,文蛤红壳色选育系幼贝的最佳滤水率条件为:盐度21.82、温度27.40℃、藻类密度9.96×10^4个/mL,此条件下滤水率的预测值为1.62 mL/(个·min)。     

Growth of the hard clam Meretrix lusoria in Taiwan

The growth of hard clam Meretrix lusoria in Taiwan was observed as it was grown at six different stocking rates (55, 109, 172, 244, 344 and 455 clams/m²), from November 1979 to September 1980. It was found that the stocking rate had more effect on the increase of the total weight of the clam than on the shell length. Under the environmental condition of the study site, the optimum stocking rate was 244 clams/m². When the net production of the clam was lower than 1103 g/m², the growth of the individual clam was not affected by the stocking rate. But when the net production was higher than 1589 g/m², the growth of the individual clam seemed to be retarded. The average pH of the sea water in the clam culture area was between 7.9 and 8.4. The average dissolved oxygen content was between 4.2 and 11.2 mg/l. And the average water salinity was between 30‰ and 35‰. All these three factors did not seem to have direct relationship with the growth of the clams. Sea water temperature, however, showed great effects on the growth of the clams. It is shown that the growth of the hard clam was slow at a water temperature of 15–18°C, increased at 20–22°C, and accelerated at 25–32°C.     

The Economic Impact of the Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss,Industry on Transylvania County,North Carolina

Abstract

The commercial culture of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, in Transylvania County, North Carolina, generated approximately $9 million in economic output in 2002. Commercial trout farming began in North Carolina more than 45 years ago. Twenty of the 57 commercial trout farms in production in North Carolina are located in Transylvania County, ranging in size from 1,135 to 204,300 kg annual production in 2002. North Carolina presently ranks second in the United States in commercial trout production, behind Idaho. The study shows that, in 2002, the trout industry generated about $9 million in economic output, created 201 jobs, and generated $3 and $0.9 million, respectively, as labor income and tax revenue in 2002. This is particularly important for Transylvania County where economic prosperity depends on locally available jobs and diversification of economic activities.     

The Cost of Production of Giant Clam Seed Tridacna gigas

The costs of providing giant clam seed in Australia are examined for alternative annual volumes of production. Considerable economies of scale in production are available, both in relation to labor costs and non-labor costs (mostly capital costs). The fall in per-unit cost of producing giant clam seed is considerable when annual production is expanded from 100,000 to 500,000 seed clams per year. At 10% rate of interest, the unit cost per clam seed falls from $1.43–$2.04 at a production level of 100,000 to $0.41–$0.55 at a production level of 500,000. Per-unit operating costs also fall. They decline from $1.01–$1.22 to $0.29–$0.35. This suggests that there are likely to be cost economies in having large centralized hatcheries.     

Preliminary studies on a chlamydial agent in the digestive diverticular epithelium of hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria (L.) from Great South Bay, New York

Abstract. The prevalence of a chlamydial infection in hatchery-reared adult hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria (L.) from Great South Bay, Long Island, New York was relatively high and seasonally stable. Infection occurred early in life while juvenile clams were still within the hatchery. Fluorescent antibody tests suggested that the clam agent shares the group antigen specific for chlamydia, but to a lesser degree than a known chlamydial strain used as a positive control. The method of Gimenez failed to stain elementary bodies in clam cell inclusion bodies. Based on the observations of this study, the inclusion body agent in the hard clam differs from known strains of chlamydia. Characterization of the clam chlamydia must await the successful propagation of the agent.     

胶州湾菲律宾蛤仔生态容量评估及其碳汇功能

胶州湾是我国重要的菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)养殖基地,为探究湾内菲律宾蛤仔的生态容量及其碳汇功能,本研究采用Ecopath模型法评估了胶州湾菲律宾蛤仔的生态容量,并利用Ecosim模块动态分析了菲律宾蛤仔生物量扩大对胶州湾生态系统结构与功能特征的潜在影响,同时估算了胶州湾菲律宾蛤仔个体及种群水平的碳收支情况。结果显示,胶州湾菲律宾蛤仔的生态容量为239.9 t/km2,虽然整体水平尚未达到生态容量,但局部养殖区域已远超出了菲律宾蛤仔的生态容量;当胶州湾菲律宾蛤仔生物量从当前增加至生态容量时,生态系统总流量、容量、优势度和循环指数分别提高了16.0%、3.9%、47.1%和103.0%,而熵值降低了10.4%,表明此时生态系统具有更高的成熟度与稳定性,但菲律宾蛤仔生物量扩大至生态容量10倍时会对生态系统产生不利影响甚至崩溃;菲律宾蛤仔个体在1个养殖周期内约摄取3 310.1 mg C,其中约46.2%的碳沉降至海底,约13.2%的碳通过收获移出,如按菲律宾蛤仔生物量达到生态容量时计算,胶州湾每年将有1.5万t碳以生物沉积形式沉降至海底,有0.6万t碳以收获形式移出。研究结果为指导菲律宾蛤仔增养殖产业的健康可持续发展、阐明菲律宾蛤仔的碳汇功能提供了理论依据与数据支撑     

多元统计方法和SSR标记对不同海域文蛤及选育群体亲缘关系分析

近年来因文蛤(Meretrix meretrix)异地移养频繁造成遗传背景不明,对种质保护和选择育种工作造成了影响,进而阻碍了产业的持续发展.为挖掘不同海域文蛤群体的种质资源状况,评估子代群体的选育潜力,本实验采用聚类分析、主成分分析、判别分析等多元统计方法以及SSR标记手段对5个不同海域文蛤群体及江苏子三代文蛤选育群...     

Mariculture of giant clams,Tridacna crocea and T. derasa: Management for maximum profit by smallholders in Solomon Islands

Abstract

The International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM) has demonstrated that coastal village communities in Solomon Islands can successfully farm giant clams. The production technology is simple and does not require a large capital investment. The main inputs are clam seed, labour and time. Labour is used for activities such as planting, cleaning, thinning and harvesting. In this paper, a bioeconomic model is used to explore optimal farm management for two species of giant clam fanned for the aquarium and seafood markets. The theoretical basis for this analysis is found in the economic theory of optimal forestry exploitation. Optimal management involves finding the combination of the decision variables and the cycle‐length that maximises a stream of discounted profits. The decision variables considered here are husbandry which relates to cleaning, and the frequency with which thinning is undertaken. The optimal cycle‐length is determined for both a single‐clam harvest and multiple harvests for various management scenarios. The labour requirements for these management scenarios are identified for the multiple‐harvest case and input substitution between optimal combinations of labour and cycle‐length is investigated. Results indicate that profits are maximised for both species when husbandry is excellent and labour usage is most intensive. Thinning is only necessary for seafood clams for which the optimal cycle‐length is longer. Village farmers may not be profit maximisers however, and labour spent on giant‐clam farming takes them away from other activities. Rather than investing more labour and harvesting the clams earlier, a village farmer with other objectives may devote less labour and harvest the clams later, and spend more time on other activities. In general, these results are consistent with extension advice provided to village farmers by ICLARM. Optimal solutions were found to be very stable when incorporated into global optimisation routines and sensitivity analysis of a wide range of parameter values.     

Ecosystem services of geoduck farming in South Puget Sound,USA: a modeling analysis

Provisioning and regulatory ecosystem services of Pacific geoduck clam (Panopea generosa) culture were simulated for an intertidal shellfish farm in Eld Inlet, South Puget Sound, Washington, USA. An individual geoduck clam growth model was developed, based on a well-established framework for modeling bivalve growth and environmental effects (AquaShell?). Geoduck growth performance was then validated and calibrated for the commercial farm. The individual model was incorporated into the Farm Aquaculture Resource Management (FARM) model to simulate the production cycle, economic performance, and environmental effects of intertidal geoduck culture. Both the individual and farm-scale models were implemented using object-oriented programming. The FARM model was then used to evaluate the test farm with respect to its role in reducing eutrophication symptoms, by applying the Assessment of Estuarine Trophic Status (ASSETS) model. Farm production of 17.3 t of clams per 5-year culture cycle is well reproduced by the model (14.4 t). At the current culture density of 21 ind m^?2, geoduck farming at the Eld Inlet farm (area: 2684 m²) provides an annual ecosystem service corresponding to 45 Population-Equivalents (PEQ, i.e. loading from humans or equivalent loading from agriculture or industry) in top-down control of eutrophication symptoms. This represents a potential nutrient-credit trading value of over USD 1850 per year, which would add 1.48% to the annual profit (USD 124,900) from the clam sales (i.e. the provisioning service). A scaling exercise applied to the whole of Puget Sound estimated that cultured geoducks provide a significant ecosystem service, of the order of 11,462 PEQ per year (about USD 470,600) in removing primary symptoms of eutrophication, at the level of the whole water body. The modeling tools applied in this study can be used to address both the positive and negative externalities/impacts of shellfish aquaculture practices in the ecosystem and thus the trade-offs of the activity.