The Shellfish crop insurance program provides a yield-based product for containerized oysters commercially produced for the half-shell market. The shellfish program provides coverage against four perils:
- Named storms (hurricanes and nor’easters)
- Excessive heat during a low tide event
- Freeze during a low tide event
- Low salinity caused by excessive rainfall
The program provides coverage for the expected production of oysters to be harvested in the current crop year. Coverage for immature oysters is not available at this time. Producers can elect to increase their insurable price above the published price election with verifiable sales records supporting a higher price election.
Pilot Area
| State | County | State | County | State | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Baldwin | Louisiana | Plaquemines* | New Jersey | Cape May* |
| Alabama | Mobil | Louisiana | St Bernard* | New Jersey | Ocean* |
| California | Humboldt | Louisiana | St Mary* | New York | Nassau |
| California | Marin | Louisiana | Terrebonne* | New York | Suffolk |
| Delaware | Sussex* | Louisiana | Vermilion* | North Carolina | Carteret |
| Florida | Dixie* | Maine | Cumberland | North Carolina | Dare |
| Florida | Escambia* | Maine | Lincoln | North Carolina | Onslow |
| Florida | Franklin | Maryland | Calvert* | North Carolina | Pamlico |
| Florida | Gulf* | Maryland | Dorchester | North Carolina | Pender* |
| Florida | Indian* River | Maryland | St Mary's | Rhode Island | Newport |
| Florida | Levy* | Maryland | Wicomico* | Rhode Island | Washington |
| Florida | Manatee* | Maryland | Worcester* | South Carolina | Beaufort |
| Florida | Santa* Rosa | Massachusetts | Barnstable | South Carolina | Charleston |
| Florida | Volusia* | Massachusetts | Plymouth | South Carolina | Colleton |
| Florida | Wakulla | Mississippi | Harrison | Virginia | Accomack |
| Louisiana | Cameron* | New Hampshire | Rockingham* | Virginia | Gloucester |
| Louisiana | Iberia* | New Hampshire | Strafford* | Virginia | Northumberland |
| Louisiana | Jefferson* | New Jersey | Atlantic* | Virginia | Westmoreland |
| Louisiana | Lafourche* |
***The 27 new counties for the 2025 crop year are bolded.
More Information
- Shellfish Fact Sheet
- RMA and FSA Aquaculture Programs Fact Sheet
- Shellfish Commodity Provisions
- Shellfish Data Provisions
- Shellfish Insurance Standards Handbook
- Shellfish Loss Adjustment Standards Handbook
- Shellfish Pilot Crop Insurance Program Frequently Asked Questions
- Shellfish Pilot Crop Insurance Program Growing Interval I Training Presentation
- Shellfish Pilot Crop Insurance Program Growing Interval II Training Presentation
- Shellfish Pilot Crop Insurance Program Growing Interval III Training Presentation