Wednesday April 16, 2014

Today was exciting!  I have begun a budget that compares two different floating aquaculture systems.  One with only mesh bags and the other with mesh bags and cages.  I am hoping to compare them and then decided which would be better.

Each has their benefits.  With the mesh bag system, the oysters will be more accessible and spread out.  Since the bags are light, labor and injuries (oyster farmers often have back problems from hauling the oysters around) might not be as much of an issue.  However mesh bags must be replaced more often than the cages.  Cages hold more oysters, but they are more prone to fouling (collecting algae and seaweeds that prevent water flow, which is essential for the oysters to grow quickly).  ALSO since the cages hold more oysters, they are much heavier and will require more labor and possibly a larger boat that can accommodate them.  The OysterGro System recommends using a Carolina Skiff or attaching a cage holder to the side of the boat (shown below).  (Speaking of boats! They are really expensive!  I have been looking at Carolina Skiffs and Boston Whalers, both of which have a reputation for being durable boats.  Carlina Skiffs don’t have prices on their website, but Boston Whalers range from 30,000 to 130,000, including the motor, but not any other additions.)

At the moment, the budget is very rough, since I am not entirely sure how to organize it.  It has been a bit frustrating, since I keep thinking of things to add to the budget, then I am not sure where to put them in.  For example, I was thinking about how I want the farm to start of with about 50,000 oysters, so that I will have a year to get used to the business.  Then the next year I would expend to 200,000 oysters.  My question was, do I buy enough equipment for the 200,000 oysters that I will be culturing the next year or do I buy that the second year?  Also will I have made enough money to buy the equipment for the expansion?  I have sent my budget to my mom, in the hopes that she will have some insight that will help me organize my spreadsheet.  Another frustration is that I have no prices for anything.  I spent a great deal of time looking for prices, but every website wants you to call and ask for a bid.  So I will have to call or email Myron (my contact at Ketcham Traps) tomorrow.