Shellfish Fishing — Business Survival Rate
An estimated 33% of shellfish fishing businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 19.7%.
Is Shellfish Fishing a Good Business to Start?
With a 33% five-year survival rate, shellfish fishing has a below-average survival rate compared to the national average of ~50%. This indicates higher risk of failure — new entrants face significant competitive pressure or challenging economics.
The annual exit rate of 19.7% is elevated. If you're considering entering this industry, ensure adequate capitalization, a clear competitive advantage, and realistic timeline to profitability.
Entry vs. Exit Rates
Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.
Net negative: more businesses closing than opening (-3.5 pp spread).
Job Creation & Destruction
The industry is losing jobs faster than creating them — which may indicate automation, consolidation, or declining demand. Total employment: 4,549 workers across 1,344 firms.
Want to know how much shellfish fishing businesses actually make?
See full revenue benchmarks for Shellfish Fishing →Frequently Asked Questions
- What percentage of shellfish fishing businesses fail?
- Approximately 67% of shellfish fishing businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 19.7%, with 224 firms closing permanently in 2023.
- Is the shellfish fishing industry growing or shrinking?
- The shellfish fishing industry is currently shrinking with a net job creation rate of -11.3% per year. New businesses are entering at 16.2% while 19.7% close annually.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (2023). Survival rate estimated from annual exit rates.