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In this episode of OYSTER-ology, I get back together with Sam Walsh of SharkBite Oysters. Sam discusses his journey from studying marine biology to becoming an oyster farmer in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. He shares how oyster farming's sustainability and lifestyle benefits drew him in after experiences in finfish and shrimp farming. Sam highlights his growth from a small operation to a million oysters in the water. He talks about the unique challenges of oyster farming, starting with having to build his own boat, to fighting barnacles and dealing with hurricanes. He also discusses the importance of high-quality, clean oysters and his catering ventures that connect his farm to the community. Through this engaging conversation the true essence of SharkBite Oysters is revealed through Sam’s sense of humor, enthusiasm and authenticity., leaving open the question: will he complete the Oyster-A-Day-For-A-Year challenge?

00:00 Introduction and Breakfast Talk

00:39 Guest's Background and Early Career

03:03 Transition to Oyster Farming

06:36 Starting the Oyster Farm

08:55 Challenges and Growth

17:08 Hurricane Preparedness

21:45 The Art of Scraping Barnacles

24:06 Catering and Community Engagement

25:12 Farm Tours and Expansion

27:47 Distribution and Marketing Strategies

29:17 The Perfect Oyster

34:32 Challenges in Oyster Farming

38:32 Future Plans and Personal Stories

Links:

Sharkbite Oysters website (https://sharkbiteoysters.com/)

Link to Sam’s Instagram An Oyster-A-Day Campaign:

Sam's Boat: The Lumberyard Skiff

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This week on OYSTER-ology I sit down with Meta Mesdag, Founder, Owner and Operator of Salty Lady Seafood Company in Juneau, Alaska. Meta shares her unanticipated journey of becoming an oyster farmer after moving from Portland. A critical aspect of hef family-oriented farm, which started in 2018, is including her kids and other young people in its daily operations. But the farm's primary goal is not to turn her children into oyster farmers, but instead to help them become well-rounded, successful individuals who are not afraid of hard work. Meta emphasizes the challenges and joys of oyster farming, from handling harmful algae blooms to fostering a sense of belonging and hard work among the young crew members. Despite the physical and logistical hurdles, she highlights the rewarding aspects of seeing oysters grow and fostering a supportive, close-knit team. And through our conversation we see how responsible oyster farming not only fosters the future of the environment, but also the futures of those who do the farming.

00:47 Welcome to OYSTER-ology

01:10 Starting Salty Lady Seafood

06:36 Learning the Ropes of Oyster Farming

15:25 Challenges of Oyster Farming in Alaska

22:24 The Role of Family and Community

30:54 Future Plans and Reflections

33:00 Conclusion: Passion and Gratitude

Links:

Salty Lady Seafood Company website (https://www.saltyladyseafood.co/)

YouTube video: Meet Your Alaskan Farmer, Meta Mesdag (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPvJhfjVbL0&list=PLuuqkhFcq8idjBvLfvo84uO3qPos2Gxvi&index=2)

Sea Grant Article about Meta Mesdag (https://alaskaseagrant.org/2019/05/juneau-oyster-farmer-battles-red-tape-to-grow-family-business/)

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In this episode, host Kevin Cox sits down with Peter Stein of Peeko Oysters on Long Island's North Fork to hear about his unique journey to becoming a visionary oyster farmer and the daily realities and complexities of oyster farming. He discusses the challenges of working with a "ruthless and relentless" Mother Nature, to the surprising obstacles of starting a business in aquaculture and building it into a vertically integrated business. Beyond the farm itself Peter introduces his innovative business philosophy, the intrinsic value of a living oyster reef and the concept of ecosystem services—the idea that oyster reefs provide long-term benefits to the environment beyond just human consumption. You'll hear about his push for a shift in corporate perspectives, where businesses understand and quantify the value that an oyster reef provides far beyond merely the market price of it’s parts. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in sustainable food, the intersection of business and environmentalism, or the fascinating world of oyster farming.

00:00 A Humbling Start in Oyster Farming

00:31 Introducing Peeko Oysters

01:39 From Job Loss to Oyster Farming

02:35 The Benefits of Oyster Farming

03:49 Starting Peeko Oysters

04:14 Exploring Vertical and Aquaculture Farming

06:31 Learning the Ropes of Oyster Farming

08:29 Current Operations and Techniques

09:58 Challenges and Innovations in Oyster Farming

13:18 The Hatchery and Scaling Up

18:54 Technological Barriers and Solutions

22:34 Contract Growing and Industry Opportunities

23:37 Exploring Contract Growing in Oyster Farming

26:09 The Role of Infrastructure in Oyster Farming

27:16 Diving into Oyster Varieties and Market

28:38 The Future of Oyster Aquaculture

30:10 Valuing Oyster Reefs Beyond Harvesting

40:11 Challenges and Learning in Oyster Farming

42:45 Balancing Business Growth and Daily Operations

46:46 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

Links:

Peeko Oysters website (https://peekooysters.com/)

Oyster Heaven website (https://oysterheaven.com/)

FlipFarm website (https://www.flipfarm.co.nz/)

Greenwave website (https://www.greenwave.org/)

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