Shellfish attitude in lobster land: Maine oysters boom
BRUNSWICK, Maine (AP) — Maine is producing more oysters than ever due to a growing number of shellfish farms that have launched off its coast in recent years.
The state's 2021 oyster harvest was the largest and most valuable in its history, according to recent data from the Department of Marine Resources in Maine. The state's haul of oysters, the vast majority of which are from farms, grew by more than 50% last year to more than 6 million pounds.
Maine's growing oyster business has made the state a bigger player in the national industry that grows the valuable shellfish, which were valued at more than $187 million in 2020. The growth has also raised questions from members of other marine industries about whether the oyster business is growing too fast.
Maine oysters were worth more than $10 million at the docks last year, a decade after they were worth less than $1.3 million. They're now the fourth most valuable marine resource in the state, where lobster is still by far the most important seafood.
The presence of more farms has led to criticism from some lobster fishermen, who fear losing access to productive fishing grounds. The state needs a comprehensive plan for the future of shellfish farming or it will lose its coast, said Crystal Canney, executive director of Protect Maine’s Fishing Heritage Foundation.
“We are seeing people treating this like a Wild West gold rush, and it’s irresponsible,” she said.
On the other hand, the growth of oysters is great news for a state that has been trying to diversify marine industries, said Dan Devereaux, one of the owners of Mere Point Oyster Company in Brunswick.
“As Mainers, we take advantage of the fact that we are up here and the seafood is so coveted outside the state,” he said.
The growth of Maine oysters is happening...