Oyster farming 101 in Casco Bay, Maine

From Nova Scotia down to the Florida Keys, a vibrant oyster farming culture is taking root, rejuvenating coastal communities and sparking a renaissance in the seafood industry. This revival not only benefits local economies but also further endorses the shift toward responsible environmental and sustainable farming practices for the future. 

In the Northeast, the cold, clean waters of the Gulf of Maine is playing host to a thriving oyster community led by a new generation of young entrepreneurs, and seasoned commercial fishermen looking to diversify their operations. 

John Herrigel, CBO (Chief Bivalve Officer) of the Maine Oyster Company, has positioned himself as one of the central liaisons between farmers, legislators, scientists, and educators who are all seeking to benefit from, and shape the future of this fishery.

John and his brother-in-law, Joe Jerome of North East Salt Water, have been hosting educational site visits and seminars with industry representatives, focused on their work with the Basin Oyster Project—a program to build regenerating oyster reefs in the New Meadows River. Following a successful series of presentations and pro bono field trips for local schools, John and Joe have combined these workshops into a full-day program designed to provide a hands-on experience in aquaculture. This class serves as a precursor to a more comprehensive vocational training course scheduled to begin in fall 2025. 

We cover a range of topics, including:

• site selection and permitting
• hatchery and seed selection
• farming techniques and equipment
• oyster anatomy
• farm management
• harvesting and distribution  
• safe handling and transporting 

Currently, this class is only available to local high schools, and regional colleges. 

For individuals interested in starting a career in aquaculture, we also offer private interactive oyster farm tours throughout the summer as an exciting introduction to oyster farming.