Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
Paving the way for a thriving and sustainable ecosystem and maritime economy from ocean to table
Delaware has long been a leader in the fishing industry by developing
progressive catch management policies and advanced seafood processing
technologies. Delaware Sea Grant is working with fishermen, state
regulators, and citizens to keep that momentum going and explore
promising new economic drivers like aquaculture.
Shellfish hatchery
In 2022, the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, and Delaware Sea Grant established a pilot scale shellfish hatchery on the UD Lewes Campus.
This is the first official shellfish hatchery in Delaware with the purpose of supplying seed and spat on shell to Delaware shellfish farmers, researchers, and restoration efforts. Learn more about the shellfish hatchery
Fisheries
Shad Restoration Evaluation
Fisheries & Aquaculture Extension Faculty Ed Hale has organized community science research on the Brandywine River in Wilmington to determine whether dam removals underway there are benefiting American shad and other diadromous fishes, meaning fish that spend part of their lifecycle in freshwater and part of it in saltwater. The data Hale collects if useful to groups like the Brandywine River Restoration Trust, the non-profit organization involved with organizing the dam removal, and seining the river to collect the data gives Hale a way to engage community members in learning about this natural asset in their city.
Aquaculture and Living Shorelines: Impact on Fishes
Hale is also working with a team from the University of Delaware, the University of Florida, and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary to assess the feasibility of nature-based living shoreline installment in Delaware. His team’s part of the study evaluates 1) shellfish recruitment in the form of wild spatfall, 2) the growth and mortality of farmed strains of Eastern Oyster at five locations using rack and bag aquaculture, and 3) what effect the presence of temporary aquaculture gear has on the aquatic community, i.e. how the installed rack and bag systems affect juvenile fish abundance, diversity and biomass at each of the locations.
Inland Bays Shellfish Aquaculture
Delaware Sea Grant has been working with state managers and oyster growers to launch an oyster aquaculture industry based in the Inland Bays. These partnerships resulted in the first planting of oysters in Rehoboth Bay in 2018, with numerous leases ready for additional oyster spat.
Delaware Sea Grant has partnered with Delaware State University's Aquaculture Research and Demonstration Facility to conduct more R&D on oysters and other aquaculture fisheries. Research conducted in this facility include identifying fitting aquaculture species in the mid-Atlantic region and discovering appropriate techniques for management. It is currently the only one of its kind in the state of Delaware, and aims to contribute to the economic and environmental growth of local aquaculture production.
SEAFOOD AND AQUACULTURE RESOURCES
The following links and online resources are designed to help growers in Delaware's burgeoning aquaculture industry quickly and easily find help, supplies, and information.
Delaware Shellfish Aquaculture Regulations
Aquaculture Equipment, Supplies, and Services
Equipment, suppliers and services are listed alphabetically below, as a service of the Delaware Sea Grant Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture Extension Program. We do not sponsor or endorse any of these suppliers over others.
Allen-Bailey Tag & Label – Custom tags and labels for the shellfish industry
Atlantic Aquaculture Supply - Upweller/FLUPSY systems and equipment, spat bags and spat collection equipment
Bankers Insurance – Seafood industry insurance
BuoysAndLights.com - Aquaculture site and perimeter marking
Chesapeake Bay Oyster Company – Offers a full line of shellfish aquaculture equipment and supplies
4Cs Breeding Technologies Inc. - Genetics and breeding technologies for shellfish aquaculture
Fukui North America (FNA) - Supplies technically advanced products from around the world from the shellfish and finfish aquaculture industries
Global Aquaculture Supply Co. - Wide range of equipment and supplies
Hooper's Island Oyster Aquaculture – Equipment sales
Industrial Netting – Netting, mesh and screens for industry
Ketcham Supply – Traps, grow out gear & aquaculture supplies
Morty the Knife Man - Seafood merchandizing & processing equipment specialists
OysterGro – The complete farming system
Packaging Products Corporation – Perishables packing specialists
Perone Industries LLC - Mr. David Perone, 3801 Highway 180 E, Mineral Wells, TX 76067 +1 (904) 325-3205 — Buoys for aquaculture
Rite in the Rain – All-weather writing paper
Riverdale Mills Corporation – Aquamesh® the world’s toughest aquaculture wire since 1980
R. Murphy Knives – Industrial hand knives, professional knives, and consumer cutlery
SEAPA Aquaculture Products - Oyster baskets built to simplify and increase the efficiency of sub-tidal and intertidal oyster farming
Southern Label Company – Shellfish tags and labels
T.G.I. Welding & Machine – Custom built tools and equipment for the aquaculture industry
Thermo King - World leader in transport temperature control systems for trucks, trailers, buses, rail cars and shipboard containers
The Rope Locker – P.O. Box 1 Felton, Delaware 19943
Delaware Sea Grant is not in the aquaculture business. Rather, we provide support and evidence-based information to help the aquaculture industry grow and prosper in the state. For shellfish aquaculture to succeed in Delaware’s Inland Bays, oyster farmers, family-run supply chain businesses, and distributors have to step in to meet the demands of the market. Below are some of the first small businesses in the state to join Delaware Sea Grant in rebuilding this important and beneficial industry.
Mark Casey and his family have embraced the emerging oyster aquaculture industry wholeheartedly. They are farming their own leases in Inland Bay waters, to be sold under the names above, while also creating supply chain businesses through helping test and build equipment and raising oyster seed stock to sell to other farmers.
Dewey Beach Selects
Chris Redefer was the first oyster farmer to bring his product to market, and his efforts have started to familiarize Delaware consumers with the unique and delicious Inland Bays flavor through his brand, Dewey Beach Selects oysters, grown in Rehoboth Bay near town.
Tower 3 Oyster Company
The brand name for oyster farmer Chuck Gifford, Tower 3 Oyster Company products are expected to be the second to market, in the fall of 2019. Gifford grows oysters in Sally’s Cove, Rehoboth Bay.
Delaware Oyster Company
Delaware Oyster Company is a local wholesale and catering company. They work directly with the growers in the Inland Bays to provide restaurants, markets, weddings and events with access to local oysters & clams. With 20 years combined experience in the seafood industry, the company also sources Maine mussels & lobster, North Atlantic oysters, caviar and more.
This seafood restaurant was the first to carry Inland Bays oysters, offering Dewey Selects oysters starting in the fall of 2018. Located between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, Matt’s Fish Camp has Oyster Night on Wednesdays.
Matt’s Fish Camp is one of nearly a dozen establishments run by SoDel Concepts. In addition to selling Inland Bays oysters, the Rehoboth Beach-based restaurant group has helped promote them as delicious, environmentally friendly, local food to consumers.
Delaware Sea Grant is a founding partner of the Seafood Health Facts website, an online resource that helps consumers make smart choices about the seafood they eat. More than half a million people use the site each year. Click here to learn more
Delaware Sea Grant is proud to present a directory of in state seafood suppliers providing sustainably fished and farmed seafood options.
Below is an alphabetically organized list by fish species and seafood provider, as well as general seasonal availability for that fish species, contact information and county of origin
This list is organized alphabetically in each column by fish species.
Atlantic Croaker
Jimmy Tibbits
Business/Boat: Fishin Mission
Phone: 302-745-2424
Seasonal Availability: July-Sept.
County: Sussex
Atlantic Scallops
Tim Sage
Business/Boat: Breakwater Seafood Co. / FV Virginia Reel
Phone: 302-841-5968
E-mail: virginiareel46@gmail.com
Seasonal Availability: June-August
County: Sussex
Black Drum
Jimmy Tibbits
Business/Boat: Fishin Mission
Phone: 302-745-2424
Seasonal Availability: Apr-May
County: Sussex
Black Sea Bass
Chet Townsend
Business/Boat: Fish Killers
Phone: 302-448-5078
Seasonal Availability: May 1-Dec. 1
County: Sussex
Wes Townsend
Business/Boat: FV Paka
Phone: 302-542-1150
E-mail: pakafish1@yahoo.com
Seasonal Availability: May 1-Dec. 1
County: Sussex
Blue Crabs (Dredge)
Brian Hoffecker
Business/Boat: Hoff's King Crab
Phone: 302-535-0049
E-mail: hoffie4353@gmail.com
Seasonal Availability: Dec. 15-Mar. 15
County: Kent
Blue Crabs (Trap)
Brian Hoffecker
Business/Boat: Hoff's King Crab
Phone: 302-535-0049
E-mail: hoffie4353@gmail.com
Seasonal Availability: Apr. 20-Oct. 20
County: Kent
Jimmy Tibbits
Business/Boat: Fishin Mission
Phone: 302-745-2424
Seasonal Availability: Apr.-Nov.
County: Sussex
Bluefish
Chet Townsend
Business/Boat: Fish Killers
Phone: 302-448-5078
Seasonal Availability: May & June
County: Sussex
Jimmy Tibbits
Business/Boat: Fishin Mission
Phone: 302-745-2424
Seasonal Availability: Apr-May
County: Sussex
Name: Wes Townsend
Business/Boat: FV Paka
Phone: 302-542-1150
E-mail: pakafish1@yahoo.com
Seasonal Availability: May & June
County: Sussex
Bunker
Chet Townsend
Business/Boat: Fish Killers
Phone: 302-448-5078
Seasonal Availability: June-August
County: Sussex
Wes Townsend
Business/Boat: FV Paka
Phone: 302-542-1150
E-mail: pakafish1@yahoo.com
Seasonal Availability: June-August
County: Sussex
Butterfish
Jimmy Tibbits
Business/Boat: Fishin Mission
Phone: 302-745-2424
Seasonal Availability: July-Sept.
County: Sussex
Clams (wild harvest)
Steve Friend
Business/Boat: Friends Clams and Oysters LLC
Phone: 302-855-1119
E-mail: friendsheshe@gmail.com
Seasonal Availability: Year-round
County: Sussex
Kingfish
Jimmy Tibbits
Business/Boat: Fishin Mission
Phone: 302-745-2424
Seasonal Availability: July-Sept.
County: Sussex
Lobsters
Chet Townsend
Business/Boat: Fish Killers
Phone: 302-448-5078
Seasonal Availability: May 1-Dec. 15
County: Sussex
Wes Townsend
Business/Boat: FV Paka
Phone: 302-542-1150
E-mail: pakafish1@yahoo.com
Seasonal Availability: May 1-Dec. 15
County: Sussex
Oysters (farmed)
Dave Beebe & Dan Fosnocht
Business/Boat: Rehoboth Bay Oyster Company
Phone: 302-227-6100
Email: dave@rehobothbay.com
Website: https://rehobothbay.com
Alan Davis
Business/Boat: Inland Bays Shellfisheries, LLC
Phone: 302-236-0285
E-mail: Inlandbaysoysters@gmail.com
Seasonal Availability: Year round
Chuck Gifford
Business/Boat: Tower 3 Oyster Company
Phone: 704-641-4273
charlesgiffordiv@gmail.com
Seasonal Availability: Year round
Delivery available for add. fee
Mark Casey and Family
Business/Boat: Delaware Cultured Seafood, Inc.
Phone: 302-OYSTER1
Website: www.delawareoysters.com
Seasonal Availability: Year-round
Delivery available for add. fee
Steve Friend
Business/Boat: Friends Clams and Oysters LLC
Phone: 302-855-1119
E-mail: friendsheshe@gmail.com
Seasonal Availability: Year-round
County: Sussex
Jesse Atkinson
Business/Boat: Delaware Delicious Oysters
Phone: 302-260-0101
E-mail: DoubleDOysters@gmail.com
Website: delawaredeliciousoysters.com
Seasonal Availability: Year-round
County: Sussex
Norris Hurley
Business/Boat: Rehoboth Bay Selects LLC
Phone: 484-364-8389
E-mail: Norrishurley57@gmail.com
County: Sussex
Oysters (wild caught)
Tim Sage
Business/Boat: Breakwater Seafood Co. / FV Virginia Reel
Phone: 302-841-5968
E-mail: virginiareel46@gmail.com
Seasonal Availability: Sept-Nov.
County: Sussex
Shad
Jimmy Tibbits
Business/Boat: Fishin Mission
Phone: 302-745-2424
Seasonal Availability: Feb-Apr
County: Sussex
Spot
Jimmy Tibbits
Business/Boat: Fishin Mission
Phone: 302-745-2424
Seasonal Availability: July-Sept.
County: Sussex
Striped Bass
Brian Hoffecker
Business/Boat: Hoff's King Crab
Phone: 302-535-0049
E-mail: hoffie4353@gmail.com
Seasonal Availability: April
County: Kent
Jimmy Tibbits
Business/Boat: Fishin Mission
Phone: 302-745-2424
Seasonal Availability: Feb-Apr
County: Sussex
Travis Mick
Phone: 302-841-5293
E-mail: Mispillion.marine@gmail.com
Seasonal Availability: Mar. 1- May 10
County: Kent/Sussex
Delivery available for add. fee
E.J. Chalabala
Business/boat: Cape Fisherman
Phone: 302-228-8954
E-mail: ejchalabala@gmail.com
Seasonal Availability: Mar 28- Apr 30
County: Sussex
Delivery available depending on volume
Tautog
Chet Townsend
Business/Boat: Fish Killers
Phone: 302-448-5078
Seasonal Availability: April-May; July-Dec.
County: Sussex
Wes Townsend
Business/Boat: FV Paka
Phone: 302-542-1150
E-mail: pakafish1@yahoo.com
Seasonal Availability: April-May; July-Dec.
County: Sussex
Weakfish
Jimmy Tibbits
Business/Boat: Fishin Mission
Phone: 302-745-2424
Seasonal Availability: Apr-May
County: Sussex
Whelk (Trap)
Jimmy Tibbits
Business/Boat: Fishin Mission
Phone: 302-745-2424
Seasonal Availability: Oct.-Dec.
County: Sussex
White Perch
Jimmy Tibbits
Business/Boat: Fishin Mission
Phone: 302-745-2424
Seasonal Availability: Feb-Apr
County: Sussex
