Start Your Own Small Scale Geoduck Farm on Puget Sound

Geoduck Farming on Puget Sound

In looking around Puget Sound for waterfront vacation properties with a client (we ultimately found a good deal on a fixer, estate sale in Port Orchard), I learned about the earning potential of creating a small scale geoduck farm and using the proceeds to completely pay off your waterfront property.  Geoduck prices are soaring currently - driven by demand from China.

Read about the market potential:

China's demand for geoducks sends prices, profits soaring in NW (The Seattle Times)

Shellfish industry doing well at local, state levels (The News Tribute, Tacoma)

Revenue Potential

A listing agent explained to me the revenue potential from her client's property.  The tidelands property owner leased out 1/2 an acre to a shellfish harvesting company.  The shellfish company did the planting and pays $500 per year in rent on the 1/2 acre.  It takes 6 years for the geoducks to grow to harvestable size.  Six years ago the company paid $37,500 to the owners for a harvest.  Right now (summer 2012) they are told they could get $75,000 for the current crop, but they are waiting until next year when they hope to get 6 figures.  Geoduck prices are rising currently.

Imagine if you were to plant an acre per year up to 6 acres, and then enjoy a regular annual harvest income.

Background Articles

Geoduck Farming Fact Sheet and Overview (Protect Our Shoreline)

Geoduck Culture on Intertidal Beaches: Procedures, Expenses and Anticipated Income for an Intermediate-Size Farm (Department of Ecology - State of Washington)

The Gooey Politics of Geoduck Aquaculture: A Day in the Life of a Shellfish Farmer (Little Hollywood Blog)

Environmental Concerns

Some people don't like the spread of geoduck farming over concerns about:

• The unsightly spread of PVC tubes over tidelands.  Although, the tubes are removed after the first year.
• Concerns about mono-culture - the lack of bio-diversity on the affected beaches.

There has been a moratorium on new geoduck farming permits since 2007, but new research has become available and new permits are being considered:

Farming Geoducks: A Mixed Bag For Tidal Critters (OPB)

Fun Geoduck Facts

• The are the world's largest, burrowing clam, growing up to 7 pounds (typical) on up to 20 pounds (record)
• Geoducks range from Baja California to Alaska
• Females produce up to 50 million eggs per year
• Geoducks can live up to 160 years
• Non-human predators: crabs, shrimp, sea stars, snails, fish, and sea otters
• The word "geoduck" comes from "gweduc" in the Nisqually language, meaning "dig deep"

Advantages of Geoducks over Other Types of Farming

• No need to milk the geoducks
• Geoducks do not wake you up in the morning with loud calls
• No need to feed the geoducks
• No need to herd the geoducks long distances
• No need to break in young geobucks

Disadvantage of Geoduck Farming

There has been a rise in illegal, nighttime harvesting.  It would be rather difficult to protect your tidelands from thieves.

$24.99 per Pound!

Shellfish Properties For Sale

LIST OF SHELLFISH PROPERTIES FOR SALE

I visited this property below and spoke with the owner.  He thinks the property includes 5 acres of tidelands, which are currently left wild.  Whenever he wants an extra $100 bucks, he'll go out and fill up a bucket and a half with oysters and clams and sell it to a shellfish distributor.  He thinks the property has commercial potential.