Environmental Data
Independent Lifecycle Assessment — Geoduck Operations, 2025
Important Scope Note
This lifecycle assessment covers our geoduck operations only. We are planning similar independent assessments for our oyster and clam operations in 2026–2027. All our shellfish species share similar production methods (hatchery-based, no external feed, filter-feeding, minimal processing), which suggests comparable environmental profiles, but we will verify this through formal assessment.
How This Data Was Produced
Methodology Disclosure
| Conducted by | Blue Food Performance (independent) |
| Standard | ISO 14040/44 |
| Method | EF 3.0 |
| System Boundary | Cradle-to-gate |
| Functional Unit | 1 tonne of geoduck (live weight) |
| Completed | August 2025 |
The LCA covers all inputs and outputs within the system boundary: on-site farm operations, hatchery production, energy consumption, on-site algae production, and transport within the defined scope. Carbon sequestration through shell formation (~350g CO2 per tonne of geoduck) is included as a credit in the climate change impact category. The assessment does not include downstream processing, distribution, or end-of-life stages.
Per Tonne, Farm Gate
Geoduck LCA Results
| Impact Category | Result | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Change | 355 | kg CO2eq |
| Acidification | 22.56 | mol H+ eq |
| Marine Eutrophication | 3.8 | kg N eq |
| Land Use | 960 | m² |
| Water Use | 156 | m³ deprivation |
ISO 14040/44 · EF 3.0 · Cradle-to-gate · August 2025 · Blue Food Performance
Reading Guide
How to Read This Data.
What this data means:
Our 2025 lifecycle assessment measured the environmental footprint of Manatee Holdings' geoduck production. The assessment used a cradle-to-gate boundary, meaning it covers production up to the farm gate and does not include consumer transport, preparation, retail, or end-of-life impacts. The results are presented per tonne of geoduck production and are intended to provide a transparent baseline for improvement.
What this data does not mean:
This LCA does not certify Manatee Holdings as 'sustainable.' It does not cover every species we produce. It should not be read as a universal comparison with all seafood or all animal proteins unless the comparison uses equivalent methodology and boundaries.
LCA Results — Plain Language
Evidence Cards
What This Means
For every tonne of geoduck produced, Manatee's farming operation generates 355 kg of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions — including a credit of 350g of CO2 sequestered through shell formation.
Context
This is substantially lower than farmed salmon (2,200–5,000 kg CO2eq/tonne), chicken (~6,900), and beef (27,000–60,000). Geoduck's filter-feeding biology means no feed production is required — the primary driver of emissions in most animal protein systems.
What This Means
The acidification potential of producing one tonne of geoduck is 22.56 moles of hydrogen-ion equivalent. This measures the potential for acid deposition across freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems.
Context
Acidification in geoduck production is primarily driven by energy use on-site. Transitioning to renewable energy sources (planned 2026) is the most effective pathway to reducing this impact.
What This Means
The marine eutrophication potential of geoduck production is 3.8 kg of nitrogen-equivalent per tonne. This measures the potential for nitrogen-driven algal growth in marine ecosystems.
Context
This figure reflects the nitrogen released across the production system boundary (cradle-to-gate). Geoduck are filter feeders and do not require nitrogen-intensive feed production.
What This Means
960 square metres of marine area is required to produce one tonne of geoduck. This figure reflects the physical footprint of the farming tenure.
Context
Geoduck farming uses intertidal and sub-tidal marine areas that are not in competition with terrestrial food production. This land use figure is substantially lower than all terrestrial animal proteins.
What This Means
The freshwater deprivation impact of producing one tonne of geoduck is 156 cubic metres. This metric reflects the scarcity-weighted consumption of freshwater resources across the production system.
Context
On-site energy use is the primary driver of water use impact in geoduck farming. Transitioning to renewable energy sources would reduce this figure significantly.
These results are specific to Manatee Holdings' geoduck production and should not be generalized to all Manatee products or all shellfish species.
Carbon Footprint in Context
Our geoduck production's carbon footprint is significantly lower than most animal proteins:
| Protein Source | kg CO2eq / Tonne | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Manatee Geoduck | 355 | Our LCA (Blue Food Performance, 2025) |
| Salmon (farmed) | 2,200–5,000 | Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science |
| Chicken | 6,900 | Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science |
| Beef | 27,000–60,000 | Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science |
Comparisons are indicative. Different system boundaries may affect results. We are working to conduct similar assessments for our other shellfish species.
Key Findings
What the LCA Tells Us
1.Low Environmental Footprint
The environmental footprint of Manatee's geoduck farming operation is low compared to other farmed species, both terrestrial and aquatic. The absence of feed requirements — a consequence of geoduck's filter-feeding biology — is the primary driver of this advantage.
2.Energy is the Key Lever
On-site energy use has a significant impact on the environmental footprint across multiple impact categories. Reducing energy consumption and transitioning to renewable energy sources (planned 2026) represents the most effective pathway to further improving environmental performance.
3.Nutrition Alongside Performance
Bivalves are an excellent source of low-impact, highly nutritious animal-source food. Geoduck delivers premium nutrition (20g protein, 100% DV selenium, 117% DV B12 per 100g) alongside a verified low environmental impact.
Continuous Improvement
Improvement Roadmap
Our LCA identified energy use as the primary opportunity for improvement. We are implementing the following changes across all species operations.
| Q2 2026 | Renewable Heating — Replace propane with electric heat pumps |
| Q3 2026 | Equipment Electrification — Transition diesel to electric where feasible |
| Q4 2026 | On-site Solar — Install solar for auxiliary power |
| Q1 2027 | Shell Waste Program — Maximize carbon storage in shells |
Projected: 355 → ~200 kg CO2eq/tonne
Analysis suggests a potential reduction from 355 to ~200 kg CO2eq/tonne when the renewable energy transition completes.
Oyster LCA planned for 2026. Clam LCA planned for 2027. Comprehensive environmental verification across all species.