Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S600 LEADERBOARD

Global study sheds light on the valuable benefits of shellfish and seaweed aquaculture

by NOAA Fisheries 13 Feb 2022 21:59 UTC
A new global study shows that shellfish and seaweed aquaculture provide valuable benefits to people and ocean ecosystems © NOAA Fisheries

Shellfish and seaweed farms provide sustainable seafood and can improve the surrounding environment. Farmed oysters, mussels, and other bivalve shellfish are some of the most environmentally sustainable sources of animal protein.

Worth an estimated $350 million in 2017, shellfish are the most valuable marine seafood produced via aquaculture in the United States. Seaweed aquaculture also provides many benefits to both people and the ocean environment.

In a new study, NOAA and our partners used data from around the world to measure the ecosystem services provided by shellfish and seaweed farms. This first of its kind study estimates the economic value of these services from aquaculture on a global scale.

Shellfish and seaweed farms are considered low-to-no input because they don't require feed, freshwater, or fertilizer. Shellfish eat algae by filtering it from the water. Seaweeds make their own food through photosynthesis like land plants. They can also improve water quality and create habitat for other species.

The study shows just how valuable shellfish and seaweed aquaculture's ability to soak up excess nutrients from the water can be. It also highlights the value of the habitat it provides for economically important fish species.

International collaboration focused on ecosystem services

The project is a collaboration between researchers at NOAA, The Nature Conservancy, University of Melbourne and the University of Adelaide in Australia, the University of Maryland Extension, and Mississippi State University. They examined nutrient removal by aquaculture in 17 countries and fish habitat data from 10 countries.

"The results of this study by a multi-national team of ecologists, modelers, industry specialists, and economists are very optimistic, confirming that bivalve and seaweed aquaculture is a win-win-win for needed seafood production, water quality improvement, and jobs in rural areas worldwide," said Suzanne Bricker, a scientist at the NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and a co-author of the article.

"We are hopeful that the results will guide smart development of new and expansion of existing sustainable aquaculture in many countries that will provide important benefits to people and the environment."

Bricker and her colleagues used data from the Milford Lab's GoPro Aquaculture Project. That project uses underwater camera footage to understand interactions between shellfish aquaculture gear and fish communities. The study also uses ongoing NOAA research on the water quality benefits of shellfish aquaculture.

"It was rewarding to work from the local to the global scale on this project. It is exciting to see that the nutrient and habitat benefits that the Milford Lab team estimated in Long Island Sound fit into the broader picture of shellfish aquaculture as a sustainable source of seafood," said Julie Rose, a research ecologist at NOAA Fisheries and a study co-author.

"This study is particularly important as we look towards sustainable growth of the marine aquaculture sector in the United States," said Seth Theuerkauf, science coordinator at NOAA Fisheries' Office of Aquaculture and a study co-author.

"It shows that shellfish and seaweed aquaculture—when practiced and managed well—is not only a low impact and sustainable form of food production, but also has the unique ability to contribute towards broader goals of ecosystem recovery and resiliency."

Providing valuable habitat

Removing excess nutrients

Nitrogen is a nutrient that enters coastal waters from many human-caused sources, like agriculture, lawn fertilizer, septic systems, and treated wastewater. Too much nitrogen fuels excess algal growth, which can negatively affect water quality and human health. As shellfish filter the water to feed, they are removing nitrogen and using it to build their shells and tissues. How do researchers place a monetary value on this nitrogen removal service?

The researchers assigned dollar amounts to nutrient removal services using payments made for nutrient credits in areas where nutrients such as nitrogen are managed. They also assigned dollar amounts to the avoided costs of traditional ways of remediating excess nutrients—for example, upgrading water treatment plants.

Considering 49 estimates, shellfish and seaweed farms removed an average of about 575 pounds of nitrogen per acre. That's roughly the weight of a grizzly bear per acre every year. There is significant variability in the estimates because of the wide diversity of farms considered. For shellfish, the value of that ecosystem service is estimated at $1,321-7,739 per acre each year. The range for seaweed aquaculture is $753-10,110 per acre each year.

Related Articles

Scientists estimate krill abundance in Alaska
A commonly used machine-learning algorithm was key Throughout the world, scientists engage in regular vessel surveys to produce estimates of species distribution and abundance. These estimates let scientists track species- and ecosystem-level trends over time to support ecosystem-based fishery management. Posted on 22 Feb
Oregon Coast coho sustain sportfishing seasons
Rebound of wild populations boosts productivity enough for harvest Low salmon returns have closed salmon fishing in California and limited it elsewhere on the West Coast. But Oregon anglers have enjoyed robust sportfishing on a strong wild salmon species. Posted on 23 Dec 2024
Some fish and crab may shift further north
New regional models are being developed for the Bering Sea to better anticipate climate change The eastern Bering Sea is a highly productive marine ecosystem, supporting more than 40 percent of the annual commercial fisheries landings by volume in the United States. Posted on 21 Dec 2024
How the 2024 hurricane season impacted fishing
Learn how business owners, marine ecosystems, and recreational fishing seasons were affected The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially ended on November 30, showcased above-average activity. It had a profound impact on recreational fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, causing recreational fishers to face challenges and interim closures. Posted on 20 Dec 2024
Climate, Ecosystems, and Fisheries
Climate change is impacting the nation's valuable marine and Great Lakes ecosystems The NOAA Climate, Ecosystems, and Fisheries Initiative (CEFI) is an effort to provide decision-makers with the information they need to prepare for and adapt to changing oceans and climate. Posted on 7 Dec 2024
Fifteen years of searching for smalltooth sawfish
NOAA Fisheries scientists have been studying smalltooth sawfish in South Florida since 2009 NOAA Fisheries scientists have traveled to South Florida multiple times a year for 15 years to study smalltooth sawfish. Posted on 17 Nov 2024
Harbor Seals consume up to a third of Steelhead
Unchecked predation may undermine recovery actions, study finds Harbor seals consume as many as a third of young steelhead smolts migrating out of the Nisqually River's delta in southern Puget Sound, new research shows. Posted on 21 Sep 2024
The Elwha River restoration
Elwha River restoration project offers valuable insights into the complex ecological processes Elwha River restoration project offers valuable insights into the complex ecological processes involved in dam removal and river recovery. Posted on 16 Sep 2024
Reestablishing connections for fish and tribes
North Santiam River is a high priority for the recovery of Upper Willamette River spring Chinook With $710,000 in funding from NOAA, the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde will remove barriers to the passage of threatened salmon and trout species on their land. Posted on 16 Aug 2024
Progress update on two fishing data initiatives
Fishing Effort Survey study and the collaborative initiative to re-envision the partnership We may be in the dog days of summer, but I am pleased to share that progress continues on two high-visibility recreational fishing data collection initiatives — Fishing Effort Survey study and the collaborative initiative to re-envision the partnership. Posted on 15 Aug 2024
Maritimo 2023 M600 FOOTERPalm Beach Motor Yachts