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. DoAG and the state shellfishing industry have consistently worked with Town recreational shellfishing programs to stock areas for harvest by the public. 

• Connecticut shellfishing generated over $16 million in farm-gate sales in 2023.
• 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	40
Shellfish Harvest Vessels	80
Companies with a oyster seed transplanter/seller license	26
Licensed Seed Captains/Helpers	155
Licensed Seed Boats	56
Licensed Wholesale Firms for Sales and Distribution	23

 

Shellfish Grounds Revenue

• The State Leasing Program consists of 673 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 24,942.15 acres generating $581,550.20 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	380,000
1991	$3,827,000	154,026	$26,718,000	540,390
1992	$4,402,000	146,733	$45,000,000	893,964
1993	$6,309,400	157,735	$42,052,920	700,882
1994	$7,549,960	192,891	$35,254,916	705,542
1995	$1,306,425	52,257	$41,353,180	751,876
1996	$1,310,575	52,423	$28,919,495	525,809
1997*	$8,667,648	240,768	$5,103,618	196,293
1998*	$5,105,760	128,544	$8,978,090	179,562
1999	$6,500,000	130,000	$11,050,000	170,000
2000	$9,415,356	335,084	$4,839,468	81,015
2001	$9,929,575	281,811	$3,244,510	56,340
2002	No data	No data	No data	No data
2003	$10,783,837	341,546	$2,294,649	36,781
2004**	$10,690,175	403,698	$1,356,310	24,116
2005	$16,120,028	420,529	$953,050	23,041
2006	$18,194,591	423,950	$2,205,740	52,851
2007	$20,530,892	489,648	$5,142,099	132,933
2008***	$20,165,332	511,659	$6,380,933	161,305
2009***	$17,711,497	489,462	$6,984,640	187,096
2010***	$17,405,284	425,294	$8,010,682	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	350,615
2017	$10,041,885	309,661	$15,993,119	307,009
2018	$9,824,635	323,671	$15,811,158	315,716
2019	$6,642,356	236,181	$16,096,204	306,594
2020****	$4,569,821	160,771	$9,083,111	173,012
2021	$4,144,923	154,748	$15,448,745	294,262
2022	$2,033,019	78,625	$14,368,663	271,107
2023	$1,831,719	66,910	$14,606,929	275,602

* 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 100-count bags (for oyster, and chowder and cherry hard clams) and 200-count bags (for top neck and little neck hard clams).

*** 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.

 

2024 Hard Clam Economic Impact Update

The shellfish industry was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic due to immediate and prolonged loss of markets as seafood distribution facilities and restaurants closed. While Connecticut oyster landings have since recovered to the past seven-year annual average, hard clam landings have continued to decline. Annual sales have decreased since the annual maximum of $20.5 million in 2008 to just over $2 million in 2022. Landings have steadily declined, with no evidence of economic recovery, since 2008.

The declining hard clam market has compounded the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shellfish companies have reported declining hard clam recruitment, which has subsequently limited stocks throughout the state for over a decade. Based upon historic harvest, some industry members believe that large hard clam sets only occur every 30 years in Connecticut. Based upon the large landings in the 1990’s and 2000’s, this 30 year “boom” could be decades out.

Hard clam harvesting began in the late 1950’s, targeting an abundance of chowder clams. While the initial clam dredges were very inefficient, the industry developed an effective and efficient hydraulic clam dredge in the 1970’s. Independent little neck clam harvesters joined the market in the 1980’s prior to the market boom. The hard clam market expanded out of necessity, as lobster landings were decreasing and oyster populations significantly declined due to a disease outbreak in the 1990’s. In the 1990’s, many lobstermen became licensed hard clam harvesters following an unusually high recruitment level of hard clams that produced a large amount of high value little neck clams. Subsequently, the hard clam population sustained up to 50 licensed harvesters until 2020.

Of the 31 licensed operations in 2024, there are 18 oyster operations, 7 hard clam operations, and 6 oyster and hard clam operations. Significant consolidations have occurred over the past four years, resulting in the reduction of 50 operations to 31. There are five small hatchery seed oyster aquaculture growers seeking permits that will eventually be licensed harvesters.

The 13 companies who rely on hard clams as part of their business model are currently experiencing an unprecedented economic loss, to the point that their vessels may only fish 1-2 days per week. These reduced schedules make it difficult to maintain experienced employees and a viable income. Due to the declining availability of hard clam stocks, operation’s margins are becoming increasingly tight as they must continue to maintain their vessels and gear with less income.

Without an alternative, many of these hard clam harvesters will be forced to seek alternative employment. Utilizing these experienced operators and their vessels to perform portions of shellfish restoration projects could assist in sustaining companies while restoring the State public natural seed beds. As grant funded restoration projects are proposed, the Bureau will insist that these vessels be used for rehabilitation and enhancement work.