By Josh Kim, S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.
Shellfish Aquaculture (SAQ) Specialist Josh Kim visiting a commercial oyster farm to learn more about the opportunities and limitations that currently face the industry in the Southeast. Photo credit: Hailey Murphy/S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.
Shellfish, whether wild-harvested or farmed, are integral to Lowcountry culture. As wild populations of commercially significant shellfish, such as oysters and clams, are increasingly threatened by human harvest and loss of habitat, aquaculture can serve as a sustainable and viable alternative to maintain shellfish production in the Lowcountry.
Within shellfish, farmed oysters are grown through two methods: in bags or cages on the salt marsh “bottom” or floating in the water column “off-bottom.” Out of the two methods, off-bottom oyster aquaculture is rapidly increasing in popularity in the region, primarily due to the growers’ ability to produce consistently higher quality oysters to satisfy the burgeoning raw bar market. Although the first off-bottom oyster farm in South Carolina was permitted in 2013, the South Carolina oyster mariculture industry has grown to a dock value of $1,963,661 in 2024, according to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. Using economic multipliers derived from a Consortium and Clemson University study on the total economic contribution of oyster mariculture in South Carolina, this direct output translates to an estimated $13.1 million in total economic contribution and supports over 130 jobs when including restaurant sales.
Shellfish Aquaculture (SAQ) Specialist Josh Kim in the field in Georgetown, S.C., to assist researchers testing non-plastic, natural materials for use in oyster restoration. Photo credit: Noah Stillman/S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.
The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium supports and assists shellfish farmers through our team of extension specialists focused on living marine resources. Josh Kim, the Consortium’s Shellfish Aquaculture (SAQ) Extension Specialist works with Consortium staff and partners to provide science-based evidence to support the emerging shellfish aquaculture industry through technical support, scientific research, and public engagement and outreach. Kim’s goal is to serve as the bridge between industry, research, resource management, and the public.
One of the most important pieces of the SAQ specialist role is to provide farm-level technical support to established and prospective oyster farmers in S.C. Prospective farmers may want to learn more about permitting, where to potentially establish a farm, or how to pick out farming equipment to meet their unique needs. Kim guides prospective farmers through available Consortium and partner developed tools, such as the site selection tool and the farm economics modeling tool, found in the Consortium’s Aquaculture Toolkit.
On the other end of the spectrum, established growers may reach out to the Consortium for access to scientific studies that may help them improve their production. In these cases, Kim relays the latest scientific innovations and results to the growers, which can help them refine their management techniques on the farm. In addition to production needs, Kim also helps growers with permitting, business planning, and producer grant management.
Kim conducts site visits to gain insight into the emerging needs and opportunities within the shellfish industry. On this particular site visit, Kim helped grade oysters while interacting with the farm manager to learn more about his operation. Photo credit: Josh Kim, S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.
Kim works individually with some farms, but he also provides state-wide technical support that pertains to all growers. Kim is currently conducting a disaster relief tour with Steve Richards, Ph.D., of Clemson Cooperative Extension. Kim and Richards visit farms across the state to provide information on different crop insurance options and disaster relief programs that may decrease the risk of financial loss due to natural disasters, such as hurricanes.
Paving a two-way path of communication between farmers and other stakeholders in shellfish aquaculture is key to Kim’s work as an extension specialist. The SAQ specialist will identify a need from a grower, take this need to relevant researchers and resource managers, and join or assemble a team to further investigate and hopefully address the need. A prime example of this is the resubmergence project, where the production of state-specific scientific data is required to answer a science and policy question that is of relevance and interest to the industry. Kim’s role as the principal investigator on this project is to facilitate collaboration between industry, research, and resource managers to conduct the research and guide the data’s impact on policy in an equitable and scientifically driven way. Once studies are completed, Kim also shares results with regional stakeholders at industry meetings, such as the Georgia Aquaculture Conference and Oyster South.
Kim works with other state agencies involved with oyster research and restoration as part of his extension program. Here, Kim is pictured deploying Metal Wire Reefs (MWRs) through SC DNR’s South Carolina Oyster Recycling and Enhancement Program (SCORE). Photo credit: Barrett Moody, summer aquaculture intern.
The Consortium’s extension team also serves as a resource for the public. Kim ensures that people outside of the industry are well informed about aquaculture and how it contributes to the region. Kim engages with the public through events and speaking engagements such as presenting for the Edisto Island Open Land Trust and sitting on panels for the S.C. Aquarium’s Good Catch program. Oftentimes, conducting outreach activities means translating scientific jargon to ideas that resonate with everyone.
To better translate the positive effects that this industry has on South Carolina’s coastal economy, Kim is working closely with a member of the Clemson Cooperative Extension Agribusiness team to conduct grower surveys, and plans to use the results to better understand aquaculture’s economic contribution in S.C. By highlighting the fast-growing contribution of this eco-friendly industry to the greater S.C. economy, Kim hopes to emphasize the viability of the industry as a source of coastal employment, garnish interest from decision makers to continually invest resources to support the industry, and ensure the sustainability of South Carolina aquaculture into the future.
To learn more about how the Consortium supports shellfish aquaculture in South Carolina, reach out to Josh Kim, Shellfish Aquaculture Specialist, and keep up to date on our current projects.