Virginia aquaculture surpasses pre-pandemic levels, grows 52%

GLOUCESTER POINT, Va. (WAVY) - The Virginia Aquaculture Industry has surpassed its numbers pre-pandemic, as the industry saw a 52% increase in sales from shellfish farms and hundreds of jobs created since 2018, according to the 2024 Virginia Aquaculture Outlook Report. 

Direct sales for shellfish aquaculture totaled $81 million in 2024, an increase from the $53 million in sales from 2018. According to the report, farmed oysters carried most of the growth, as the sale of hard clams more than doubled since 2018.

“It reinforces our key points with data and ensures that Virginia’s shellfish industries issues are communicated accurately,” Kim Huskey said, vice president of Government Affairs for Cherrystone Aqua Farms. “It also serves as a lasting reference for legislators and their staff, helping them recall details after the meeting and lending weight to our position as they consider policy decisions.”

The rise in revenue has directly correlated to the rise in jobs in Virginia aquaculture, with an estimated 480 jobs directly involved in shellfish aquaculture in 2018 growing to over 700 in 2024.

To view the full report, view the link here.