Characterizing the supply chain for Puerto Rico’s oyster markets

Wild oyster fisheries have been in decline worldwide due to habitat loss and overexploitation, and therefore increased attention has been given to oyster aquaculture to both continue production and meet growing seafood demand. In Puerto Rico, the wild mangrove oyster fishery is small-scale and culturally important, yet its supply chain to local markets has not been documented, including whether market demand is leading to oyster overfishing. Recently native oyster aquaculture is being researched locally as a promising commercial alternative, and as this industry develops, the market dynamics between wild-harvested native oysters and farmed oysters need to be understood to achieve socio-ecological alignment. Here we present the first supply chain mapping of the wild oyster fishery in Puerto Rico, using responses by oyster fishers, businesses, and seafood consumers collected through an online survey to understand the potential market for locally farmed oysters. Our results reveal that the wild mangrove oyster fishery is characterized by a predominantly direct-to-consumer market, in which oyster fishers frequently occupy multiple roles across harvesting, processing, and retail sales. In contrast, restaurants and street businesses rely on more diverse sourcing networks that include imported oysters, which compete with local supply. The emergence of local oyster aquaculture may increase competition within oyster markets, highlighting the need for management strategies that support equitable market participation and prevent the marginalization of artisanal fishers. Collectively, these findings underscore the importance of incorporating fisher livelihoods and community values into future oyster aquaculture development in Puerto Rico.