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Production Risk Management for Shellfish Aquaculture in South Carolina and Florida

Steve Richards

Summary

Farm-raised oysters and clams are categorized as an underserved commodity group by the USDA Risk Management Agency (USDA RMA). In 2024, a team of extension personnel (Clemson, University of Florida, and SC/FL Sea Grant) hosted seven programs across both states to cover production, legal, and human risks. However, for this presentation, we will focus on production risk, as many new materials have been created for aquaculture producers to self-assess and visualize production risks unique to their operations.

New materials created include interactive GIS mapping of hurricane and salinity (high/low) risks in every licensed shellfish growing area in both states and handouts that provide side-by-side comparisons of USDA RMA crop insurance (Clam Dollar and Shellfish Aquaculture Pilot Program – Oysters) and USDA FSA disaster programs (Non-Insured Disaster Assistance Program and Emergency Livestock Assistance Program – Farm-Raised Fish). These programs were timely, as Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Helene caused (insurable) production losses in both Florida and South Carolina. Preliminary results of USDA RMA policies sold year over year show more than a five-fold increase.

We will share these materials as well as producer self-assessments, program evaluations, PowerPoint presentations, and other results of the programs so that others may host similar programs in their regions without having to recreate the materials, rather simply modify them for production risks unique to their areas (i.e. Nor’easters, freezing weather at low tide).

This project was funded by USDA RMA Partnership Grant Project #RMA23CPP0013388

Details

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