DIRECT EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME IMPACTS OF AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES AND MAJOR PRODUCING STATES  

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) includes at least three U.S. industries under aquaculture, namely (1) finfish farming and hatcheries, (2) shellfish farming, and (3) other aquaculture. Finfish farming and fish hatcheries industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in farm raising finfish and/or hatching fish of any kind. Shellfish farming industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in farm raising shellfish. Other aquaculture industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in farm raising of aquatic animals except finfish and shellfish and/or farm raising of aquatic plants.  

Annual data on total farm-gate sales of U.S. aquaculture production published by NOAA Fisheries showed an increasing trend during the past two decades. After deflating these annual sales data by the consumer price index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the deflated farm-gate sales showed a very erratic annual growth pattern averaging about 1.6 percent during the past two decades.  The annual data on farm-gate sales are important in assessing the size of the economic contribution of aquaculture in the U.S. economy.

Secondary data on jobs and wages were compiled and compared by type of aquaculture operations. Annual data on annual average employment published by BLS showed that aquaculture production generated almost 6,000 jobs in 2014. On average, finfish aquaculture operations generated 60 percent, shellfish operations added 31 percent, and other aquaculture operations provided nine percent of all the aquaculture employment during the past three years.  These employment and wage data are useful in estimating the total economic impacts of aquaculture production in individual producing states, regions and entire U.S. economy.