NC Commercial Fisheries: Economic Values, Trends, & Growth Potential Jane Harrison, Ph.D. Coastal Economics Specialist North Carolina Sea Grant

WISCONSIN OREGON/DCNC

SENEGALESE FISHERIES

Research, Outreach, & Education for the Ocean & Coasts Raleigh Wilmington Morehead City Manteo

NC Division of Marine Fisheries Since 1999, studies completed on economic and social dimensions of NC commercial fisheries Regional surveys with updates every five years Studies used in the socioeconomic sections of state fishery management plans and the DMF economic impact model for commercial fishing

Landing Trends over Time (NCDMF 2013)

Commercial Landings (NCDMF 2015) SpeciesPoundsValue Blue Crabs, Hard 25,243,137 $ 29,955,044 Shrimp, Brown 3,354,809 $ 10,326,997 Flounder, Summer 2,906,738 $ 8,211,121 Flounder, Southern 1,673,511 $ 4,839,672 Oysters 727,775 $ 4,544,236 Tunas 1,657,294 $ 3,633,792 Shrimp, White 1,218,982 $ 3,483,222 Clams, Hard 430,816 $ 2,866,096 Blue Crabs, Soft 367,277 $ 2,137,335 Swordfish 694,911 $ 2,109,549

Jobs (NOAA 2014)

Total Sales (NOAA 2014)

Commercial Fishers in the Albemarle and Pamlico Sound (NCDMF 2014) Objectives  (1) Describe socioeconomic characteristics of commercial fishers  (2) Collect cost and earnings information  (3) Explore perceptions of current fisheries mgmt. practices and importance of commercial fishing to their communities Phone, mail, and online surveys 1106 commercial fishing license holders  21% of fishers earn more than $30,000 from commercial fishing (ALBEMARLE SOUND)  6% of fishers earn more than $30,000 from commercial fishing (PAMLICO SOUND)

Commercial Landings – Albemarle Sound

Commercial Landings – Pamlico Sound

Flounder Landings – Albemarle Sound

Blue Crab Landings – Pamlico Sound

NC Stock Assessment Report (NCDMF 2014)

NC Sea Grant Research Do catch shares increase ex-vessel prices in U.S. fisheries? (Smith 2014) Population connectivity of southern flounder in the US South Atlantic (Scharf et al. 2014) A supply chain analysis of North Carolina’s commercial fishing industry (The Rural Center 2013) A comparative case study of Virginia and North Carolina’s oyster aquaculture development (The Rural Center 2013) Understanding the requirements of Carteret County fishermen and dealers to meet the rising demand for local seafood within North Carolina (Nash and Sharples 2011) An inventory of North Carolina fish houses (Garrity-Blake and Nash 2012)

Opportunity 1: Develop Markets for Underutilized Species Need to develop markets for:  Cape Shark (Spiny dogfish) - Quota: 7.2M pounds  Cow-nose rays, sheepshead, scup, ribbonfish, black drum, skate wing, spot, spadefish, croaker, striped bass, white grunts NCSG Shark Sensory Evaluations  Cape shark sold to Wanchese dealers for $.10/lb  Cape shark sold to New Bedford, Mass processor for $.22/lb  Cape shark sold overseas for $3/lb

Sara Mirabilio, Fisheries Extension Specialist NC Sea Grant Manteo csi.northcarolina.edu Scott Baker, Fisheries Extension Specialist NC Sea Grant Wilmington

Opportunity 2: Increase processing capabilities Value-added seafood products  Statewide & national distribution opportunities  Losing revenue to other states with processing capabilities Produce a differentiated product rather than a simple commodity

Barry Nash, Seafood Technology & Marketing Specialist NC Sea Grant Morehead City ncsu.edu

Opportunity 3: Marine Aquaculture Intensive oyster aquaculture 35 water column leases in acres

Oyster Aquaculture PROS  Established high end market  Niche marketing available for half shell oysters  No to minimal land required  Relatively low operating costs CONS  Initial investment (gear)  First crop(s) not immediate  Vulnerable to loss from storms and poaching  Labor and management critical

Chuck Weirich, Marine Aquaculture Specialist NC Sea Grant Morehead City ncsu.edu

Thank