Short answer

When designing for large-scale fishery enhancement, prioritize cost-effective hatchery and nursery systems and conduct thorough economic feasibility studies.

Field
Commercial Production
Source
Aquaculture Fish and Fisheries (2023)
Method
Techno-economic cost modeling and Monte Carlo simulation
Evidence
Strong effect

Large-scale Atlantic surfclam hatchery production requires a significant investment, with costs ranging from $3.7 to $15.1 million to yield one million bushels of market-sized clams. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Aquaculture Fish and Fisheries. Using Techno-economic cost modeling and monte carlo simulation, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing for large-scale fishery enhancement, prioritize cost-effective hatchery and nursery systems and conduct thorough economic feasibility studies.

Study
Commercial ProductionRecentStrong effect

Hatchery Scale for 1 Million Bushels of Atlantic Surfclams: A Techno-Economic Analysis

Large-scale Atlantic surfclam hatchery production requires a significant investment, with costs ranging from $3.7 to $15.1 million to yield one million bushels of market-sized clams.

Aquaculture Fish and Fisheries · 2023

01

Key Findings

  • 01374 million to 2.1 billion Atlantic surfclams are needed at the end of the hatchery stage to produce 1 million bushels of market-sized product.
  • 02Total production costs are estimated to range from $3.7 to $15.1 million, with hatchery costs comprising the majority ($2.9–$13.3 million).
02

Application

Design takeaway

When designing for large-scale fishery enhancement, prioritize cost-effective hatchery and nursery systems and conduct thorough economic feasibility studies.

How to apply

Before investing in large-scale hatchery infrastructure, conduct a detailed techno-economic analysis using current local costs and projected market prices for the target species.

Project actions

  • 01When estimating costs for a design project, be specific about the units and scale of production.
  • 02Consider the entire production chain, from initial inputs to the final marketable product.
03

Method & Evidence

AimWhat is the techno-economic viability of large-scale Atlantic surfclam hatchery production to support a one-million-bushel fishery?
MethodTechno-economic cost modeling and Monte Carlo simulation
ProcedureResearchers analyzed literature and consulted experts to gather data on Atlantic surfclam growth, survival, and production inputs (labor, energy, materials) in hatchery and nursery settings. This data was used to build a cost model and run simulations to estimate production costs and variability.
ContextAquaculture and commercial fisheries management, specifically Atlantic surfclam enhancement.

Variables

IVScale of hatchery production (number of clams at end of hatchery stage)
DVTotal production costs ($)
CVClam size at harvest (>120 mm), market price ($/bushel), labor costs, energy costs, material costs.
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Integrates biological and economic factors.
  • +Utilizes robust modeling techniques (techno-economic and Monte Carlo) for cost estimation and variability analysis.

Limitations

The cost of materials, labor, and energy can vary significantly by location and over time, affecting the accuracy of the cost model.

Reliability & validity

Reliability is supported by the use of established modeling techniques. Validity is dependent on the accuracy of the input data gathered from literature and expert consultation, and the assumptions made within the cost model.

Think critically

How might advancements in aquaculture technology or changes in market demand alter the economic viability of large-scale hatchery operations?

05

Design Principles

"Economic feasibility is a critical determinant of the success of large-scale ecological or resource enhancement projects."

This research provides crucial economic data for the feasibility of fishery enhancement programs, particularly in contexts where traditional fishing grounds are impacted by external developments like offshore wind farms. It highlights the substantial capital and operational expenditure required for such initiatives.

06

What This Means for Your Design

It costs a lot of money to grow enough clams in a special farm (hatchery) to make a million bushels for people to buy, and you need to grow billions of baby clams.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this research to justify the economic feasibility or challenges of your proposed design solution, especially if it involves large-scale production or resource management.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This study demonstrates that large-scale fishery enhancement, such as supporting a one-million-bushel Atlantic surfclam fishery through hatchery production, involves substantial economic considerations. The research highlights that achieving this output requires cultivating billions of juvenile clams and incurs significant capital and operational costs, estimated between $3.7 and $15.1 million, underscoring the need for robust economic viability assessments in the design and implementation of such projects.

09

Source

Aquaculture Fish and Fisheries

Hatchery capacity needed to support large‐scale Atlantic surfclam fishery enhancement

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about hatchery scale for 1 million bushels of atlantic surfclams: a techno-economic analysis?
When designing for large-scale fishery enhancement, prioritize cost-effective hatchery and nursery systems and conduct thorough economic feasibility studies. Evidence: Aquaculture Fish and Fisheries (2023).
Why does "Hatchery Scale for 1 Million Bushels of Atlantic Surfclams: A Techno-Economic Analysis" matter for design?
This research provides crucial economic data for the feasibility of fishery enhancement programs, particularly in contexts where traditional fishing grounds are impacted by external developments like offshore wind farms. It highlights the substantial capital and operational expenditure required for such initiatives.
How can designers apply this research?
When designing for large-scale fishery enhancement, prioritize cost-effective hatchery and nursery systems and conduct thorough economic feasibility studies.
What were the main findings?
374 million to 2.1 billion Atlantic surfclams are needed at the end of the hatchery stage to produce 1 million bushels of market-sized product.. Total production costs are estimated to range from $3.7 to $15.1 million, with hatchery costs comprising the majority ($2.9–$13.3 million).
What research method was used?
Techno-economic cost modeling and Monte Carlo simulation.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Aquaculture Fish and Fisheries.
What should I do differently in my next project?
Before investing in large-scale hatchery infrastructure, conduct a detailed techno-economic analysis using current local costs and projected market prices for the target species.
What are the limitations?
The analysis is based on current market conditions and available literature, which may not fully capture all potential cost fluctuations or technological advancements.