Barriers and Gateways: Institutional and Market Structures Shaping the North Carolina Shellfish Aquaculture Industry

Abstract

Over the past decade, national and state initiatives have encouraged aquaculture growth as a strategy for coastal economic development and sustainable seafood production. This research project examines how economic forces, specifically markets and insurance systems, are shaping differential opportunities and success in the North Carolina shellfish aquaculture industry. Using semi-structured stakeholder interviews, this study analyzes how industry participants navigate these forces. Findings show that markets are highly localized, with farmers relying on nearby networks while facing limited access to larger distribution systems. These structural constraints, combined with limitations in existing insurance programs, contribute to uneven outcomes across growers. Understanding these forces is critical for supporting a resilient, equitable, and economically sustainable shellfish aquaculture industry in North Carolina.