A new study by the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center shows that fish and shellfish raising has become a $130 million business in Maine, supporting over 1,400 jobs. The study is the first detailed analysis of all three segments of Maine’s aquaculture industry – finfish, shellfish and baitfish farming. The study was conducted by Planning Decisions, Inc. in Hallowell.
“This is the first time we’ve had a complete economic snapshot of the aquaculture industry in Maine,” said Michael Hastings, executive director of the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center. “By looking at the total economic impact, not just at product sales, we can see how the goods and services bought by aquaculture companies boost Maine’s economy and help support a working waterfront.” Hastings added, “aquaculture is also helping to diversify the coastal economy, hard hit by declining fish stocks.”
The Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center was established in 1988 by the Maine Legislature, with a mission to assist in developing economically and environmentally sustainable aquaculture opportunities in Maine.
The study reveals that over half of the direct aquaculture product sales are from Atlantic salmon, about $49 million of a total of $82 million, and that the industry on average pays a higher wage that the state average. The report also lists the baitfish industry as contributing $1.5 million, and shellfish as around $10 million in total, including both mussels and oysters. Fifteen oyster companies are listed as employing a total of 74 full and part-time workers, working a total of 26 oyster site leases.
Annual direct product sales of aquaculture businesses based in Maine are calculated as $82 million. Purchases of goods and services from Maine companies generate another $30 million in collateral economic activity. Spending by employees adds another $18 million. The aquaculture industry is listed as directly employing 525 people. Another 550 jobs are held by people who sell to the industry, and employee spending creates another 300 jobs.
The study was based on a detailed examination of the financial records of aquaculture companies for the years 2000, 2001 and 2002. Money spent outside of Maine is not included in the numbers. For a complete copy of the report, go to www.maineaquaculture.org.
This study comes at a time of heightened state interest in the future of the aquaculture industry in Maine. Gov. John Baldacci has called together a Task Force on the Planning and Development of Marine Aquaculture in Maine to study the industry and make recommendations. This group met most recently on Oct. 16 in Rockland, the fourth of a series of meetings held along the coast. Issues being considered include riparian rights and use conflicts, municipal jurisdiction, salmon aquaculture issues and questions of ecological carrying capacity. The process is intended to be open to advice and comment from the general public, with more information available at: This MDMR site.