est aquaculture producing state, with farm gate sales totaling $11,926,000, dominated by trout culture. New York is the forth largest aquaculture producer, with $9,637,000 in sales, primarily from the Long Island oyster farms. (NRAC, 1993) Massachusetts follows as the fifth largest aquaculture producer with $8,020,000 in sales. The dominant species in Massachusetts, in order of economic value are: Northern Quahog, oyster, trout, hybrid striped bass, scallops, baitfish/other fish and tilapia. (NRAC, 1993) Trout, striped bass, baitfish/other fish and tilapia are all grown in inland facilities in Massachusetts. When comparing the aquaculture industries from state to state, it should be kept in mind that the potential for aquaculture to succeed is dependent on several considerations. While some of these considerations are flexible and can be made more accommodating for aquaculture (laws, regulations, policy, business climate, private and public initiatives) others, (tidal range, exposure, biological parameters, flushing rates, temperature, native species) cannot be easily overcome. Economic success of aquaculture requires maintenance of a high price in the market to offset basic investments and rearing costs per organism and to assure a good profit margin. Price per organism however, is insufficient to insure economic viability. Maintenance of consistently high sales volume is also required. Massachusetts The reported (landing) value of aquacultured shellfish in Massachusetts is difficult to calculate. The Division of Marine Fisheries and municipalities collects annual landing data from aquaculture producers as a part of their reporting requirements under Section 35 of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 130. Precise reporting to DMF is not required of aquaculturists and thus the information received and summarized by DMF reflects only the producers who self-reported. As has been mentioned previously in this report, aquaculturists have also h...
