Cedar Island Marina - Research and Budget

Research and Budget

In 1995, the marina spent $38,500 to staff and operate its private research laboratory (which includes two full-time marine biologists). Its aquaculture project and public-display aquariums attracted new boating families into slips for the season and helped retain other customers, resulting in an estimated $46,000 gross slip income. The special docks, designed by Cedar Island for the aquaculture project, cost the company no more than conventional docks. Marina management estimates that the aquaculture project brings them around $5,000 worth of publicity each year and has extended their dredging season, saving another $5,000 annually.

The Cedar Island Marine Research Laboratory is owned, operated, and funded as part of the marina; its laboratory and in-water field station are also in the marina. Studies have included the assessment and long-term monitoring of water quality, marina habitat, coastal birds and fish communities in the marina, compared with other natural habitats in Clinton Harbor.

Noticing that many marine species grew more rapidly and remained healthy under marina docks and boats, Shapiro's lab staff began growing shellfish on trays suspended below the floating docks. They found that the shellfish grew faster than those placed in neighboring natural-marsh flats and were equally safe for human consumption. Oysters, it was determined, could be grown to market size one year faster under boat docks than outside the marina basin.

Two factors inhibit the use of marinas for oyster farming:

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards require filter-feeding oysters to be relocated to cleaner waters for several months of purification before being eaten; the extra handling is costly.
• Oysters take four years to grow to market size. Shapiro switched to another shellfish (bay scallops), solving both problems.