Oyster farms popping up in southern Maine
Photo / Pixabay
Oyster farming is attracting newcomers, especially commercial fishermen who are attracted to the supplemental income. The latest example: Two Scarborough shellfish harvesters are seeking to be the first residents to operate commercial oyster farms in their town.
Two Scarborough shellfish harvesters are seeking to be the first residents to operate commercial oyster farms in their town.
The Forecaster reported that business partners Matthew Hassler and Robert Willette want to cultivate oysters in the Nonesuch and Spurwink rivers. Two other operations, Nonesuch Oysters and Pine Point Oysters, already operate in the river and are not owned by Scarborough residents.
Hassler and Willette have applied for a 10-year aquaculture license. The proposed sites range from 1.3 acres to 2.7 acres. They said they would use different farming methods — mesh bags and floating cages.
Willette told the paper that concerns about the clam industry, due to increasing numbers of predators and environmental factors, played a role in the decision to grow oysters.
“The reason for moving towards oysters is they are more under our control,” Hassler said.
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments