October 27, 2026 — The economic impact of the oyster aquaculture industry to the state of Maryland was an estimated $11.5 million in 2024, according to the University of Maryland Extension and Maryland Sea Grant.
Like oysters, bay scallops are native to Maryland waters, but unlike oysters, commercial-scale bay scallop aquaculture remains largely undeveloped in the U.S.
Researchers at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore are aiming to establish the foundations for a thriving domestic bay scallop aquaculture industry. A new $200,000 grant from the Northeast Regional Aquaculture Center will help accelerate domestic bay scallop production by building a trained workforce and expanding seed availability.