Evaluating the potential market for cultured marine baitfish: A survey of Texas bait stands

Abstract

Recently, a great deal of research has focused on culturing marine baitfish for the recreational fishing market but there is limited information on the marine bait industry. Developing protocols required to culture marine baitfish is important, but information is also needed on the baitfish retail market. This research presents the results of a recent survey of Texas bait stands regarding the live marine baitfish market and the market potential of cultured baitfish. Seventy-three percent of stands were willing to consider selling cultured product and 64–73% of stands, depending on species, could sell more live baitfish if supply was available. Survey results indicate bait stands could sell two to three times more live marine baitfish if supply were available and baitfish could be marketed throughout the year. Consistent supply and ability to survive instore are more important to bait stands than price when purchasing live baitfish for resale.

Keywords:

• Marine baitfish
• markets and marketing
• retailer survey
• croaker
• pigfish

Notes

1 Bait dealers (bait stands) were identified by possession of a bait shrimp building license (TPWD Type 335) which is required for any person in Texas that sells shrimp for fish bait. The sale of other types of bait (finfish) is allowed as well under this bait-shrimp dealer building license (TPWD 2017b). While the title of the license focuses on shrimp, the license is also necessary to sell finfish bait.

2 One respondent that did not sell live bait indicated that the reason was a lack of consistent supply and if live bait could be sourced as needed they would consider selling it.

3 Respondents were asked about general live baitfish procurement, species specific sourcing questions were not included in an effort to avoid an overly long survey and the potential for respondent fatigue.

4 The number of observations associated with the different statistics vary due to incomplete responses by some respondents. Some respondents only provided price data and did not want to divulge sales quantities and some stands that harvested their own bait did not provide dockside prices since they were, in essence, purchasing from themselves.

5 One respondent that did not sell live bait indicated that the reason was a lack of consistent supply and if live bait could be sourced as needed they would consider selling it.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by a 2015 National Marine Fisheries Service Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant [NA15NMF4270348].