Virginia Oyster Aquaculture Production and Marketing Virginia Oyster Aquaculture Production and Marketing Survey

As aquaculture replaces wild harvest of oysters in the Chesapeake Bay region, we felt that there was a need to reevaluate how producers could get their products to market in the most efiicient, profitable way. In order to do this, we wanted to capture the lessons learned in other regions that have already made the progression from wild harvest to aquaculture, such as France, New England, and the Pacific Northwest. In this study, we examined the methods of productions and marketing that are currently in use in regions beyond the Chesapeake, including the Northeastern United States, the Pacific Northwest, and the Can~ale region ofFrnnce. Additionally, we conducted a market analysis study to determine the options available to local growers, and specifically, the potential for developing a central market or co-op