Supporting sustainable fishing and aquaculture economies and promoting safe seafood consumption
Delaware has long been a leader in the fishing industry by developing progressive catch management policies and advanced seafood processing technologies. Delaware Sea Grant is working with fishermen, state regulators, and citizens to keep that momentum going and explore promising new economic drivers like aquaculture.
Fisheries
Extension, outreach and research to help achieve sustainable fisheries
Aquaculture
Working with the community to create a shellfish aquaculture industry in Delaware
Seafood Resources
Educating consumers and seafood professionals about seafood consumption and handling
Fisheries
Shad Restoration Evaluation
Fisheries & Aquaculture Extension Faculty Ed Hale has organized community science research on the Brandywine River in Wilmington to determine whether dam removals underway there are benefiting American shad and other diadromous fishes, meaning fish that spend part of their lifecycle in freshwater and part of it in saltwater. The data Hale collects if useful to groups like the Brandywine River Restoration Trust, the non-profit organization involved with organizing the dam removal, and seining the river to collect the data gives Hale a way to engage community members in learning about this natural asset in their city.
Aquaculture and Living Shorelines: Impact on Fishes
Hale is also working with a team from the University of Delaware, the University of Florida, and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary to assess the feasibility of nature-based living shoreline installment in Delaware. His team’s part of the study evaluates 1) shellfish recruitment in the form of wild spatfall, 2) the growth and mortality of farmed strains of Eastern Oyster at five locations using rack and bag aquaculture, and 3) what effect the presence of temporary aquaculture gear has on the aquatic community, i.e. how the installed rack and bag systems affect juvenile fish abundance, diversity and biomass at each of the locations.
Inland Bays Shellfish Aquaculture
Delaware Sea Grant has been working with state managers and oyster growers to launch an oyster aquaculture industry based in the Inland Bays. These partnerships resulted in the first planting of oysters in Rehoboth Bay in 2018, with numerous leases ready for additional oyster spat.
Shellfish Branding
To enhance shellfish aquaculture in the Inland Bays, Delaware Sea Grant collaborated with researchers and oyster farmers to come up with effective marketing for local shellfish and aquaculture. A flourishing shellfish aquaculture market is expected to not only improve profitability for seafood markets and restaurants, but also improve water quality in the Inland Bays due to oysters' natural abilities to filter pollutants from the water.
Funded by Delaware Sea Grant, University of Delaware Professor Kent Messer led a group of researchers in a study to explore what consumers look for when purchasing oysters, as well as their reactions toward a new brand highlighting local oysters, using experimental economics. Find out more about the research.
Research & Development
Delaware Sea Grant has partnered with Delaware State University's Aquaculture Research and Demonstration Facility to conduct more R&D on oysters and other aquaculture fisheries. Research conducted in this facility include identifying fitting aquaculture species in the mid-Atlantic region and discovering appropriate techniques for management. It is currently the only one of its kind in the state of Delaware, and aims to contribute to the economic and environmental growth of local aquaculture production.
Aquaculture Workshops
Delaware Sea Grant hosts workshops to teach farmers in the oyster industry the best practices for production and invite them to share their knowledge. Interested in participating in a workshop? Browse through our News & Events page for upcoming classes!
Aquaculture Industry Resources
Interested in quick links to aquaculture references and reports? Check out our online aquaculture resource center.
Seafood Resources
Seafood Health Facts
Delaware Sea Grant is a founding partner of the Seafood Health Facts website, an online resource that helps consumers make smart choices about the seafood they eat. More than half a million people use the site each year. Click here to learn more
Seafood Suppliers Directory
Delaware Sea Grant is proud to present a directory of in state seafood suppliers providing sustainably fished and farmed seafood options. Click here for a list of fish species and seafood provider, as well as general seasonal availability for that fish species, contact information and county of origin.
Shellfish Aquaculture Partners
Delaware Sea Grant’s role is to provide information and support to the nascent industry, but the creation and growth of this new endeavor is dependent on the private-sector participants, from new oyster farmers to supply chain companies, distributors and restaurateurs that make growing and selling their product possible. You can learn about the companies that have taken the first leap of faith into the market on our partners page by visiting our aquaculture partners page.