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.
Connecticut Industry Statistics
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.