Arctic Science Journeys
Radio Script
1996

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Alaska Oyster Farming
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"Alaskan products are sold in a lot of different places, including some people who have markets on the east coast. But in the last few years, the industry has concentrated strongly their efforts here in Alaska. And essentially what has happened is that half shell market for the state is being supplied exclusively by Alaskan product."

Alaska's 56 shellfish farms have more than 11 million oysters under cultivation in places like Prince William Sound, Kachemak Bay and Southeast Alaska. But growing oysters requires patience. It takes about two years for a seed oyster, called a spat, to grow to about 2 inches across. Any bigger, says RaLonde, and the consumer could get into trouble eating it.

"We don't want to get half shell oysters very large. They're meant to be eaten in one gulp. If they get too large, we call them chokers."

Interestingly, oysters are not native to Alaska. They were brought to the state in the early 1900s, but Alaska waters were too cold for them to reproduce, so the industry quickly died out. These days, farmers import seed oysters and grow them in baskets stacked upon one another in the water. The baskets protect the farmer's investment from marauding sea otters and they make it easier to harvest the crop.

"Growth is relatively good because we grow these oysters in suspended culture so they're in the water all the time. Whereas in nature, they're in the inter-tidal zone so whenever the tide goes out they're not feeding. So since they're feeding all the time, they do grow very well."

Summer is the time to harvest market-size oysters. Weekly shipments are often air-direct to markets in Alaska and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Farmers receive about six dollars for a dozen oysters. Consumers will pay about nine dollars a pound, a bit more in restaurants. Yet despite the high price, Alaska shellfish farmers are increasing production to meet a growing demand. And the future looks bright for diversification into even more profitable shellfish markets.

"Some of the other species pull a very high market price. For example, littleneck clams are selling for about 70 cents a pound. Some of the scallop species that are also native for Alaska receive a premium price in Alaska. We are definitely exploring scallop culture."

And that likely means that Alaska farmers will enjoy a prosperous future supplying shellfish lovers with their favorite delicacies. For Arctic Science Journeys, this is Debra Damron.