Economic and Financial Considerations Regarding the Small-Scale Commercial Culture of Hard Clams in Florida

ABSTRACT

This study assesses the financial feasibility of small-scale commercial culture of hard clams. The baseline assumptions imposed are applicable for the Gulf Coast of north-central Florida. The analysis suggests that a hard clam culture operation utilizing 0.8 ha of bottom can produce 600,000 clams each year and realize a net return of approximately $31,300 per year. Sensitivity analysis was performed on changes in stocking density, seed clam price, survival rate, and market price for harvested clams.