Oysters

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Cities Developing Urban Agriculture Codes

Urban agriculture has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to deal with vacant properties, revitalize neighborhoods, and provide job skills and nutrition to local residents struggling with poverty and a lack of access to fresh produce.

In Austin, Texas, a working group of the Sustainable Food Policy Board is meeting to clarify and update city code related to urban farms, livestock, size of farm, employees and dwellings, according to the Austin Chronicle.

The working group has been holding public sessions to gather input from urban farmers and community members about pending updates to the urban farm ordinance.

In April 2013, the Flint Farmers' Market reported that the Detroit City Council adopted the city's first urban agriculture zoning ordinance recognizing agriculture as a legitimate land use and setting standards for it.

Other cities working to update or create urban agriculture codes include Boston, Massachusetts;
Fort Collins, Colorado; and Portland, Oregon.

For more information, see USDA's National Ag Library webpage on Urban Agriculture.

Home » Commodities & Products » Aquaculture » Oysters

Overview

The United States produces two major species of oysters, Crassostrea virginica (the Atlantic oyster or Eastern oyster) and the non-native, Crassostrea gigas (Pacific oyster). The Eastern oyster, found primarily in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf Coast) region and the Chesapeake Bay region, historically accounts for roughly 75 percent of total U.S. harvests. The Gulf Coast region, principally Louisiana, generally leads the nation in oyster production. The Pacific region, principally the state of Washington, follows closely, and the Chesapeake region, principally Maryland, ranks third. June 2012 ... Oysters

Marketing

Annual Commercial Landing Statistics, Fisheries Statistics, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
Census of Aquaculture (2005), USDA, 2006.
East Coast Shellfish Growers, Toms River, NJ.
Economic Benefits of Connecticut’s Oyster Farming Industry, Connecticut Department of Agriculture, 2006.
Global Agricultural Trade System (GATS), Foreign Ag Service (FAS), USDA.
Import and Exports of Fishery Products 2011, Fisheries Statistics Division, NMFS, 2012.
NOAA Fisheries, Office of Science and Technology, Fisheries Statistics Division, Foreign Trade Information - Integrates and disseminates state and federal statistics about marine fisheries.
Oyster Market Report, Globefish, FAO, 2008.
Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association, Olympia, Washington.

Production

Cultivating the Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea virginica, Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, 2001.
Fisheries of the United States 2010 - National Marine Fisheries Service
FAO Factsheet on Atlantic Oyster
FAO Factsheet on Pacific Oyster
Louisiana Summary, Agricultural and Natural Resources, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, 2012.
Oyster aquaculture on upswing in Virginia, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary, 2011.
Oyster Gardening, University of Maryland - This Web site provides basic information on setting up and maintaining oysters in the best manner.
Oyster Farming in Louisiana, Louisiana Sea Grant College Program, Louisiana State University.

Businesses/Case Studies

How New Jersey's Sustainable Oyster Fishery Got that Way - A brief history on the role of science and management in New Jersey's oyster fishery.
Pacific oysters hit peak in Marin, San Francisco Chronicle, 2005 - Interview with owner/founder of small wholesale mariculture company that markets about 500 bushels of oysters a week.
Washington State Oyster Culture, University of Washington, 2002.

Links checked June 2012.

Food Consumption Trends

Food Industry

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