Growing oysters under your dock

[000's]

I want to grow some oysters for my self to eat under my dock . I have seen a couple things around the internet about this but not really how to do it,is it legal? How long does it take etc... Any one know how to do it? Thanks

[ElMar2530]

We raise Oysters with the local Shellfish Commission and my students here in town.

It takes about 3 years from set to market size in our area, yours may be different.

[Ace1st]

A close friend of mine farms oysters on Cedar Island NC. From the looks of his system, Im sure you could do the same under your dock. Id start by building baskets. Use the rubber coated wire mesh and form into a basket that has a folding lid. He puts very small oyster spat in his baskets.

Not sure where he gets them. But they are smaller than your pinkie finger nail. On his lease, the water/tide fluctuates vey little. They are suspended in the top 20 inches of the water column which is where the most nutrients exist. They grow quickly, in about 9 months they are ready for consumption. You cold use the same principle under your dock.

Ill Pm you with a number to call, he can point you in the right direction for Oyster Spat. You could also cull small single oysters and put them in the baskets and wait for them to grow larger I guess. Hope this helps.

[Dave Sikorski]

Here's a place in MD that might point you in the right direction.

-D