In the Ocean State, aquaculture—the farming and harvesting of primarily oysters, but also clams and quahogs—is a booming business. There are 89 individual aquaculture sites in Rhode Island, covering 392 acres of water, mostly in the state’s salt ponds. Oysters are the No. 1 aquaculture product in the state, with 11 million sold for consumption in 2024. The total value of the state’s aquaculture industry was $7 million.
This three-part series looks into whether pollutants such as PFAS in Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island's salt ponds are impacting shellfisheries and whether these stressors pose a risk to human health from consumption of shellfish. This project examines the economic vulnerability and viability of oyster farmers in light of rising seas, ocean acidification, and coastal development. This series also looks into regulatory blind spots and testing inconsistencies as well as new technology in oyster farming.
