Maine Shellfish Developers LLC — Department of Agriculture SBIR Phase I: 8.12

Description

Approximately 900 million oysters are consumed annually in the U.S. withaquaculture making up 95%+ of all U.S. production. Yet growth of oyster farming offshorewhile expanding somewhat over the past decade is not keeping up with consumer demand. Oneexpert estimates it will take at least another decade for Maine's harvests merely to double. Sincemost Atlantic oysters (Crassostrea virginica) start life in hatcheries the obvious solution is tohold them indoors until market-size. Maine Shellfish Developers (MSD) has demonstrated thatoysters can be grown to market-size economically indoors utilizing conventional up-wellingtankage and proven recirculating seawater cleansing systems. Key to our success has beendevelopment of an inexpensive nutritious alternate oyster feed that is not dependent on livemicroalgae.Phase I: There are however two limiting factors that must be addressed and are the objectivesof this Phase I effort: (1) how best to manage wastewater to assure 100% recirculation; and (2)how to automate the process to reduce labor and improve oyster husbandry. In rented space atthe non-coastal Waldoboro Business Park we are installing additional Mark IV "feedlots" in2018/19 with further expansion planned in 2020. An oyster farmed in this manner is a terrestrialcrop not unlike hydroponic tomatoes i.e. under virtual total control - including the taste.Automation should support unprecedented levels of husbandry making possible the "ultimate"oyster i.e. one that is fat tasty and resides in a rounded deep-cupped shell.Oyster Nursery: Indoor oyster feedlots also emulate plant nurseries by selling half-grown"seedlings" each spring. This allows offshore farmers to jump-start summer growth with robuststock that is resistant to disease and predators. Seedlings placed in cages or bottom-planted inApril/May can be harvested in November hence single season production. If all of Maine'soyster farmers were to take advantage of the service the annual harvest would double.Anticipated Benefits: Converting waste saltwater to re-usable saltwater opens new options forfarmed shellfish: can it be used to fertilize microalgae culture? Can salt-loving plants contributeto the cleansing process while generating byproduct revenue? Assuming automation saves laborexpense can it be equally supportive of oyster husbandry allowing staff to manipulate stockcharacteristics to a degree never contemplated before?Financial: Cold water oysters command a premium with Maine oysters considered to be of thehighest quality. Restaurants lead the way accounting for over 80% of total oyster consumptionwith a trend toward smaller cocktail-size oysters. We submit that factory-like conditions make itpossible to expand output in warehouse-like space anywhere at a lower cost while yielding abetter product that is bio-secure traceable and season-less.Where to? Eventually we envision wide-scale usage via technology licensing throughout theUnited States allowing aquatic-farmers to establish small and mid-size oyster feedlots in ruralsites near major markets. We believe the market demand to be elastic with value-addedopportunities. Moreover the system should be equally suitable for other shellfish. This willcontribute to national food security and be responsive to global protein need.