Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.
A small eel farm is under way in South Bristol, raising elvers so they can be sold live and fully grown to local restaurants.
The Associated Press reported that farm operator Sara Rademaker, who launched American Unagi in 2014, sold her first eels to Maine sushi restaurants this summer. She is hoping to scale up production in the coming years, the AP reported.
That could be a big change to the current scenario, which sees Maine landings of lucrative elvers shipped to aquaculture facilities in Asia, where they’re grown to adult size, then processed for an ever-increasing food market.
Maine is the heart of the East Coast elver fishery — one of only two states allowed to harvest the tiny creatures (the other is South Carolina). In recent years, elver harvesters have earned anywhere from $900 to $2,600 per pound, thanks to demand in Asia.
There’s a growing movement for domestic eel farming. At the University of New England in Biddeford, Barry Costa-Pierce is director of the Marine Science Program and a member of the regional Eel Aquaculture Team. In 2015, he told Mainebiz the prospects for Maine eel farms are excellent.
"We have the seed stock, the knowledge, the land, water, and labor, and the feeds are available," Costa-Pierce said. "The market is there, that's for sure."
A wild fishery tamed: Maine elvers are in demand in Asia, but quotas limit catch
The Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Learn MoreWork for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Learn MoreFew people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
Learn moreThe Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Work for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Few people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Our privacy policy
To ensure the best experience on our website, articles cannot be read without allowing cookies. Please allow cookies to continue reading. Our privacy policy
Comments