Shellfish Industry Profile and Economic Impact
Connecticut oysters have a reputation for quality and an outstanding safety record. Shellfishing is an important component of Connecticut’s economy and its recreation and tourism industries. DA/BA and the state shellfishing industry have consistently worked with Town recreational shellfishing programs to stock areas for harvest by the public.
- Connecticut shellfishing generates over $30 million in farm-gate sales annually.
- The Connecticut shellfishing industry provides over 300 jobs statewide.
- More than 61,000 acres of shellfish farms are now under cultivation in Connecticut’s coastal waters. Learn more about the types of shellfish beds.
| Licensed Shellfish Harvesters | 48 |
| Shellfish Harvest Vessels | 110 |
| Licensed Seed Oystermen | 23 |
| Licensed Seed Helpers | 127 |
| Licensed Seed Boats | 53 |
| Licensed Wholesale Firms for Sales and Distribution | 24 |
Shellfish Grounds Revenue
- The State Leasing Program consists of 674 franchise oyster grounds (more than 100 years old) totaling 22,411.97 acres and generating annual revenue of $88,767.68.
- 315 Shellfish leases totaling 25,816.67 acres generating $657,695.39 in annual revenue.
Historic and Current Oyster and Hard Clam Market Harvest Data
Production statistics are based on harvest reports from CT shellfish producers.| Year | Hard Clam Annual Sales | Hard Clam (Bags/Bushels) | Oyster Annual Sales | Oyster (Bags/Bushels) |
| 1990 | $3,545,616 | 146,250 | $22,648,802.00 | 380,000 |
| 1991 | $3,827,000 | 154,026 | $26,718,000.00 | 540,390 |
| 1992 | $4,402,000 | 146,733 | $45,000,000.00 | 893,964 |
| 1993 | $6,309,400 | 157,735 | $42,052,920.00 | 700,882 |
| 1994 | $7,549,960 | 192,891 | $35,254,916.00 | 705,542 |
| 1995 | $1,306,425 | 52,257 | $41,353,180.00 | 751,876 |
| 1996 | $1,310,575 | 52,423 | $28,919,495.00 | 525,809 |
| 1997* | $8,667,648 | 240,768 | $5,103,618.00 | 196,293 |
| 1998* | $5,105,760 | 128,544 | $8,978,090.00 | 179,562 |
| 1999 | $6,500,000 | 130,000 | $11,050,000.00 | 170,000 |
| 2000 | $9,415,356 | 335,084 | $4,839,468.00 | 81,015 |
| 2001 | $9,929,575 | 281,811 | $3,244,510.00 | 56,340 |
| 2002 | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| 2003 | $10,783,837 | 341,546 | $2,294,649.00 | 36,781 |
| 2004** | $10,690,175 | 403,698 | $1,356,310.00 | 24,116 |
| 2005 | $16,120,028 | 420,529 | $953,050.00 | 23,041 |
| 2006 | $18,194,591 | 423,950 | $2,205,740.00 | 52,851 |
| 2007 | $20,530,892 | 489,648 | $5,142,099.00 | 132,933 |
| 2008*** | $20,165,332 | 511,659 | $6,380,933.00 | 161,305 |
| 2009*** | $17,711,497 | 489,462 | $6,984,640.00 | 187,096 |
| 2010*** | $17,405,284 | 425,294 | $8,010,682.00 | 220,100 |
| 2011 | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| 2012 | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| 2013 | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| 2014 | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| 2015 | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| 2016 | $11,408,306 | 402,457 | $18,345,500.00 | 350,615 |
| 2017 | $10,041,885 | 309,661 | $15,993,119.00 | 307.009 |
| 2018 | $9,824,635 | 323,671 | $15,811,157.50 | 315,716 |
| 2019 | $6,642,356 | 238,069 | $16,096,204.43 | 306,594 |
| 2020**** | $5,434,927 | 181,200 | $9,067,917 | 172,532 |
| 2021 | $4,169,793 | 156,887 | $14,543,922 | 277,028 |
* In 1997 and 1998, a natural disease resulted in a major die-off of oyster stocks. Visit the Shellfish Disease page for more information.
** Prior to 2004, harvest quantity was calculated in bushels. Subsequent data are calculated in bags.
*** The largest cultivated acreage producer failed to report harvest statistics from 2008 to 2010. As a result, the overall average harvest growth rate was factored into the last reported figures by the company to obtain an estimate for 2010 harvest numbers. However, no growth was factored for 2008 harvest numbers.
**** The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the shellfish market, reducing the annual sales in 2020.