Resources Database

Guidance on the five steps to form an LLC; chose a name, find a registered agent, file certificate of formation, create an operating agreement, and get an EIN.

This project aimed to identify a gear coating that deters and mitigates predation by oyster drills (Urosalpinx cinerea) and starfish (Asterias rubens) on aquaculture eastern oysters. Identifying potential strategies to mitigate starfish and oyster drill snail predation on eastern oysters could increase oyster survival, which would increase yield and revenue.

An overview of oyster production techniques including nursery and husbandry, common gear used, and oyster biology.

Dr. Carole Engle, a specialist in aquaculture economics, gives an overview on how to survive during cash deficits using short-term cash management plans and determining how much debt is too much to take on by calculating the debt to asset ratio.

Established in 1920 and revised in 2006, the Jones Act is a federal statute for the United States that provides the laws and regulations for U.S. waters and ports.

Frequently Asked Questions to help employees and employers gain a general understanding of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) and its extension acts.

Atlantic Captain’s Academy offers a variety of Coast Guard approved courses for Coast Guard captain’s license candidates.

Writing a strong business plan is important for any company as it provides a roadmap to success. The most important reason for writing a solid business plan is that it demonstrates to investors, financial institutions, and other lenders that you have a cohesive vision for your company.

Provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops to protect against natural disasters that result in lower yields or crop losses, or prevents crop planting.

Fact sheet outlining USDA loan programs, maximum loan amounts, rates, terms, and use of proceeds.

Reviews tide–flipped bags or baskets ability to produce a more attractive and commercially valuable Eastern oyster for the half–shell market. Found that flip-bag oysters grow slower but had a wider fan, deeper cup, heavier shell, yielded more meat, were less fouled, and required less labor to maintain.

Overview of the different types of farm loans you can get from the USDA such as FSA farm loan, farm ownership loan, farm operating loan, conservation loans and more.

Dr. Carole Engle, a specialist in aquaculture economics, discusses growing your aquaculture businesses: whether should you expand or diversify and what conditions should you consider doing so. This will help you determine if is it the right time to expand your business, increase production, or move into new markets.

Reviews the keys to running a successful business; the four P's of marketing, wholesale distributors, risks, and sales.

Dr. Carole Engle, a specialist in aquaculture economics, discusses cash-flow for aquaculture businesses, how to maintain a positive cash-flow position, and common pitfalls in developing a cash-flow budgeting.

A study compared how oysters grew in floating cages versus bottom cages that determined that generally oysters grew faster and survival and condition index were higher in floating gear.

Developed to describe all Federal programs and activities that directly or indirectly encourage, support, or assist U.S. aquaculture.

General budget guidelines for growers marketing 50,000 - 250,000 oyster per year.

A critical long-term decision aquaculturists must make is to determine whether the business can generate enough value over time to pay off its debts. The appropriate financial statement for doing this is the balance sheet. The balance sheet is divided into two main categories: assets and liabilities. The balance sheet is structured by dividing assets and liabilities into one of two time periods: current and noncurrent. This publication, written by Dr. Carole Engle, a specialist in aquaculture economics, will help you identify the financial strengths and weaknesses of your business using balance sheets.

Use this to create your own farm-specific Best Management Practices (BMP) document use this template, a Microsoft Excel file in macro format.

The intent of the Lentz system is to grow a superior quality oyster while utilizing less labor that will enable significant operation cost reduction and this presentation describes a large trial grow out study of this system.

Overview of popular finfish and shellfish aquaculture systems (husbandry & gear) used in the northeast including bottom culture, near bottom culture, water column culture, surface culture, hatchery land-based systems.

Aquaculture risk management fact sheet covering the types of risks aquaculturists deal with and how to manage these risks include both insurance and non-insurance options.

Reviews business management skills, such as finance, record keeping, marketing, and personnel management. More aquaculture businesses fail because of poor management than poor production practices.