The Role of Markets and Socio-economic Factors in Shaping the North Carolina Aquaculture Industry

As shellfish aquaculture emerges as an important contributor to sustainable food systems, understanding the economic and social dynamics that shape its growth is increasingly vital. In North Carolina, the success of shellfish growers, particularly small-scale and new growers, depends not only on environmental factors but also on how markets and insurance systems are structured. This research explores how current market dynamics, distribution pathways, and the availability (or lack) of insurance programs affect growers’ opportunities and risks, and how equitably those opportunities and risks are distributed across the industry. By engaging directly with growers, extension agents, distributors, and other stakeholders, the project aims to answer who is benefitting under current systems, who is being left behind, and what changes could make the industry more resilient and sustainable. 

These are the five main research questions for this project:

  1. How does the current shellfish market structure affect the ability of small-scale or new growers to enter and be successful?

  2. What are the primary distribution pathways for shellfish in North Carolina, and how do they shape who ultimately grows and then consumes the product?

  3. What kinds of insurance are available to shellfish growers in North Carolina and how effective are they?

  4. How could policy changes improve the accessibility to markets or the efficacy of insurance programs for small shellfish growers?

  5. What roles do extension agents and grower associations play in helping shellfish farmers navigate market and insurance systems?

 

Project Team & Collaborators:

  • Grant Murray - Duke Marine Lab

  • Tal Ben-Horin - CMAST

  • Rachel Noble - IMS

  • Alice Daeschler (Duke University Master’s Student)

  • Max Freudenheim (Duke University Undergraduate Student)

 

We’d like to hear from you!

For more information or to get involved, contact Alice Daeschler (alice.daeschler@duke.edu) or Grant Murray (grant.murray@duke.edu) at the Duke University Marine Lab.