Shellfish Farming

Shellfish farming has been practiced for centuries all around the world. In 1235 a shipwrecked Irish sailor, Patrick Walton, planted wooden posts in the inter-tidal zone in the Bay of Aiguillon near La Rochelle in the Southwest of France. He strung nets between the poles to catch seabirds for food. He soon realized that mussels grew on the poles and they became his sustenance. Thus began the "bouchot" method of mussel cultivation. In France today there are about 700 miles of these rows of "bouchots".

The Long Term Success of Shellfish Farming Speaks to its Sustainability

Shellfish are filter feeders and as such they filter plankton (microscopic green plants) from the seawater converting it to wholesome animal protein. Mussels and oysters grow on the seabed and in the water column. Clams grow in the seabed. Mussels, oysters, and clams grow along all coastlines from inter-tidal water to deep coastal waters. Their shape, the fullness and texture of the meat, and their flavor are determined by where they grow, how they are farmed and the plankton they eat. This sense of place - "terroir" - makes the various brands of mussels, oysters, and clams that American Mussel Harvesters, Inc. brings to the market the unique culinary experience they truly are!

Other Benefits of Shellfish Farming Include

1. Coastal waters are out of ecological balance due to nutrient runoff (measured as nitrogen) from the land which causes massive plankton blooms. The filtering activity of the shellfish clears the water of the plankton and when the shellfish are harvested the nitrogen is removed from the system.
2. Shellfish farms provide essential habitat for a wide variety of marine plants and animals.
3. Shellfish farms provide traditional marine related jobs in the local community.
4. Shellfish farms provide wholesome and tasty farmed goods to the restaurants that feature local foods.

Because of the environmental benefits of shellfish farming, shellfish are listed as "green" on the seafood consumer's guide of many environmental organizations.

More information on shellfish farming and the environmental benefits can be found at the following links:

quonsetpointoysters.com

Quonset Point Oysters®

"These are the tastiest oysters I have ever eaten and I am very happy with the quality." - Vernon from Pride of Neptune

Beavertail Oysters®

"We wanted to see how many we could actually sell in a week. The best selling oyster ever in the history of the C.A. Curtze Company!!" - -Lorrie Biebel, Purchasing, C.A. Curtze Company, Erie , PA

ecsga.org

pcsga.org