Offshore Aquaculture Production Systems

Aquaculture Economics and the Role of Aquaculture for Domestic Seafood Production

Invited presentation at the Marine Resource Education Program - Aquaculture: Science and Policy Workshop in Bar Harbor, Maine, on October 7-9, 2025.
A three-day educational workshop for fishermen and fishing industry members to learn about offshore aquaculture in the Gulf of America region. MREP brings together a diverse group of federal water resource professionals to provide knowledge, tools, and relationships that enable effective navigation and contribution to the aquaculture development process.
MREP Aquaculture offers Gulf fishermen the opportunity to learn about a more developed aquaculture industry in Maine, featuring lectures on the latest available science, permitting, and engagement opportunities, alongside field tours of aquaculture operations.

U.S. Market Potential of Marine Species

This recent newsletters summarize the long-term commercial and recreational landings of selected marine species, dockside values in the United States and central producing states, aquaculture production, and farmgate values. The objective is to develop an approach to assessing the market potential of these marine species for aquaculture. The significant determinants of commercial landings, aquaculture production, and dockside and farmgate values are identified.

Economic Feasibility of Candidate Species

Is Offshore Finfish Aquaculture in the Southern California Bight an Idea Whose Time has Come? Summary Report and Full Report
Economic Viability of Offshore Aquaculture Production System in Southern California. An invited paper presented at the Forum on Sustainable Offshore Marine Aquaculture, Long Beach, California, on September 19-20, 2009. The Commercial Offshore Aquaculture Production System (COAPS) modeling was based on experimental or recommended management practices. The economic viability of COAPS depends on the combination of better fish (higher prices), faster-growing fish (~ 2 lbs per year), and lower production costs. The model simulation results indicate that offshore aquaculture is economically feasible, subject to some elements of risk and uncertainty.
Risks and Uncertainties Associated with the Economic Viability of U.S. Offshore Aquaculture. Paper presented at Aquaculture America 2008, Lake Buenavista, Florida, February 9-12, 2008.
Economic Feasibility of Offshore Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico. In book: Open Ocean Aquaculture: From Research to Reality. World Aquaculture Society.
Economic Feasibility of Offshore Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico. Paper presented at Aquaculture America 2003, Kentucky International Convention Center, Louisville, Kentucky, Feb. 18-21, 2003.
Marketing Considerations for Offshore Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico. An invited paper presented at the Offshore Aquaculture Consortium Workshop, Isle of Capri Hotel, Biloxi, Mississippi, Sep. 11-12, 2002.
Economic Model of Commercial Offshore Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico. An invited paper presented at the Offshore Aquaculture Consortium Workshop, Isle of Capri Hotel, Biloxi, Mississippi, Sep. 11-12, 2002.
Economic Potential of Offshore Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico. An invited paper presented at the Open Aquaculture IV Symposium, St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada, June 17-20, 2001.

Potential Economic Impacts of Production Systems

Economic Feasibility and Impact of Offshore Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico. In book: Efforts to Develop a Responsible Offshore Aquaculture Industry in the Gulf of Mexico: A Compendium of Offshore Aquaculture Consortium Research, Chapter 7. Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, Editors: Christopher J. Bridger.
Potential Economic Impact of Offshore Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico. Paper presented at the Implan Users Conference, Shepherdstown, West Virginia, Oct. 6-8, 2004.
Potential Economic Impact of Commercial Offshore Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico. Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Program publication MASGP 04-036. Paper presented at the 2004 IMPLAN Users Conference sponsored by the National Marine Fisheries Service in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, on October 6, 2004.

Offshore Aquaculture Regulations and Sea Grant Service

Role of Sea Grant Extension in Coastal and Offshore Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico & Caribbean Region. An invited paper presented at the Gulf of Mexico Regional Sea Grant Extension Meeting, Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa, Point Clear, Alabama, March 13-16, 2005.