MarylandSeafood.org
Title
MD Seafood & Aquaculture - Welcome!
Description
The Seafood Marketing and Aquaculture Development Program interacts with seafood harvesters and processors; aquaculture producers, seafood and aquatic plant and animal wholesalers, retailers and distributors as well as media and consumers to facilitate the development of these industries and strengthen their competitive position in the marketplace.
The Aquaculture Development Program encourages the development of the aquaculture industry through seminars, industry support and trade shows. Maryland producers raised a wide variety of aquatic fish, shellfish and plants in 2003. Varieties produced included tilapia, hybrid striped bass, ornamental fish such as koi and goldfish, oysters, soft crabs, and aquatic plants. The value of production for aquaculture producers in 2003 was nearly $3.4 million.
The Seafood Marketing Program promotes the increase sale and consumption of Maryland seafood and aquaculture products through education, promotion, and advertising. The total estimated value of the Maryland seafood industry is $700. There are 74 processing plants employing 1,391 people and over 6,600 watermen who work the Chesapeake Bay. In 2003, 49.3 million pounds of seafood was landed with a dockside value of over $49 million.
