Maryland Expands Bay Scallop Aquaculture Efforts

A new project aims to support local growers and establish a sustainable bay scallop industry in Maryland by 2029.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Organic Food

Screen-print poster illustration of a submerged scallop basket, reflecting Maryland's new bay scallop aquaculture industry training initiative. — A new $200,000 project at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is training local growers to build a sustainable bay scallop industry. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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A $200,000 grant awarded to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in September 2026 aims to establish a domestic bay scallop aquaculture industry. The project seeks to support local growers by developing training resources and experimental seed transport methods.

Why it matters

Expanding aquaculture could diversify the local seafood market and build on the existing economic foundations of Maryland's shellfish industry. By addressing gaps in commercial-scale production, this initiative works to create a sustainable new option for regional growers.

The project follows a $200,000 grant awarded to researchers to study bay scallop production, contrasting with the $11.5 million economic impact generated by Maryland's oyster industry in 2024. The long-term commercial viability of these methods remains under investigation.

The players

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

An academic institution leading regional aquaculture research and training initiatives.

Rutgers University

A research university collaborating on aquaculture development and technical training.

Lee Beauchamp

The owner of Baywater Seafood who is actively engaged in bay scallop cultivation in Snow Hill.

Northeast Regional Aquaculture Center

A federally supported agency that funds research to improve the commercial aquaculture industry.

The details

The project facilitates training through Bay Scallop Aquaculture Bootcamps, which provide oyster growers and hatchery personnel with technical expertise. Researchers are also conducting experiments on seed transport and availability to solve logistical bottlenecks in current operations. By leveraging existing knowledge from the oyster industry, the team aims to refine production standards for native bay scallops.

Oyster industry generated $11.5 million in 2024.
Project work officially began in September 2026.
Project work is scheduled to conclude in July 2029.

Health Landscape

This project looks to emulate the economic success of the 2024 Maryland oyster industry by formalizing a new shellfish sector. It represents a shift from relying solely on established bivalves to diversifying the local aquaculture landscape through technical training.

As new aquaculture practices take hold, local consumers may find broader access to bay scallops in regional markets over the coming years. Those interested in the sustainability of their food sources can monitor the project progress through the scheduled conclusion in 2029.

The takeaway

Bay scallops are native to local waters, making them a natural candidate for the next phase of regional aquaculture development. Readers can support local growers by asking their fishmongers about the origins of their scallops and choosing regional, sustainably farmed options.