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11.1 North East Region
The North East Region of the United States is comprised of states that border the Atlantic Coast from Maine through to New Jersey. Most of the oyster producing areas in these states were seriously ravaged with disease back in the 1960s and have had a difficult time recovering. Since 1970, the industry has gradually recovered mostly along the Long Island Sound of New York, where growers in Connecticut and New Jersey own most oyster beds. But recent occurrences of new diseases are once again jeopardizing the stability of the industry. In addition to disease and contamination problems, the oyster industry along the Northern Coast faces serious resistance from environmental groups and summer cottagers. The industry is not expected to seriously expand for the next four to five years but will surely concentrate in maintaining its current level of production. The Long Island oysters are very popular with American consumers. Because of short supply, prices remain high and New Brunswick growers have the opportunity to fill the void with a similar quality oyster.
11.2 Atlantic Region
The Atlantic region follows the Eastern Atlantic Shore from Maryland to East Coast Florida. The major producing state is Maryland with oysters from the famous Chesapeake Bay area. The other states have very limited volumes along the coastline, which tends to fluctuate up and down from year to year pending weather conditions. These areas have also suffered greatly from diseases that nearly eliminated the popular natural oyster beds in the Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay in 1950. Since then much effort has been devoted by state research facilities in this region to developing lines of disease-resistant oysters. But the re-occurrence of new parasites and diseases keep threatening the industry. Volumes are not expected to increase in the near future. However, there is an enormous amount of research currently being done throughout the North East and Atlantic regions to find a strain of oyster that would be resistant to the existing diseases. In the meantime, New Brunswick has an opportunity to carve itself a reliable market niche.
11.3 Gulf Region
The Gulf of Mexico's surrounding States are major players in the oyster culturing business. The State of Louisiana and Texas alone produce eleven million and six million pounds respectively. In total some 25 million pounds are produced in the Gulf region. Most of these oysters are either shucked for meat or frozen half-shell for the foodservice trade. The Gulf oyster is not considered to be as good quality as oysters produced in the Northern States and prices are generally much lower. The Gulf oyster doesn't really compete on the same level as New Brunswick and therefore present minimal threat.
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