Barry Costa-Pierce quoted in ‘Mainebiz’ on developing elver farming in Maine
Barry Costa-Pierce, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Marine Sciences and director of the Marine Science Center, was quoted in a May 4, 2015 Mainebiz article about the elver market in Maine.
According to the article, Maine supplies up to 35 percent of elvers (baby eels) imported to Asia, where there is a large demand. However, because of overfishing and other human impacts, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has imposed quotas that limit fishermen’s catches.
Costa-Pierce discussed a movement in Maine to develop an eel farming industry, which would enhance both domestic and overseas sales. He shared that both UNE and the University of Maine have plans to test eel farming technologies.
"We have the seed stock, the knowledge, the land, water, and labor, and the feeds are available," he said. "The market is there, that’s for sure."