The bivalve shellfish aquaculture industry has rapidly developed over the last two decades, becoming economically important to rural US coastal communities. Shellfish aquaculture has potential to fulfill global food demands as a renewable food source that can enhance food security, support fisheries, and provide a nutrient dense, resource efficient product. Intensive shellfish culture practices, like in hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) and Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) aquaculture, are often physically demanding and can impact labor needs. Sector expansion may be limited by high labor costs, labor availability, and variable working conditions. Socio-economic data for bivalve shellfish aquaculture is limited, specifically regarding labor demands and production processes.
This research measured labor demands in Virginia and Florida shellfish aquaculture to assess production efficiencies, technological substitutions, and workforce needs. Biweekly surveys were employed to record labor needs, harvest practices, workforce management tactics, and day-to-day challenges for commercial oyster and hard clam farms. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with employers and employees to evaluate views on labor availability, job satisfaction, technological substitutions, stressors, and industry growth. Qualitative coding analyses identified emerging interview themes and statistical survey analyses compared factors impacting labor needs. A technoeconomic production model was developed and refined to evaluate annual production costs across various grow-out methods. The results will contribute to a benchmarking tool for improving production efficiency and total product output at shellfish farms. By enhancing our comprehension of labor needs and associated constraints in bivalve shellfish aquaculture, industry expansion can continue while facilitating economic development and improving sector sustainability.