New Brunswick oyster aquaculture consists mainly of the cultivation of an indigenous species: The American (or Eastern) Oyster, Crassostrea virginica. The oyster aquaculture industry is an important generator of employment and economic activity in rural coastal communities along the eastern shores of the province.
It is estimated that there are over 150 million oysters of all sizes being grown on leases covering approximately 2,700 hectares in New Brunswick today. This number is expected to grow as oyster farmers expand their operations. With careful utilization of identified development zones, the New Brunswick oyster aquaculture industry will continue to make significant advances in the coming years.
