The Aquaculture Industry in Okeover Inlet
Oysters used to grow over a foot deep on the rocky beaches in the area mainly because of warm local waters. Formal oyster farming began in Okeover Inlet around 1955. There are now about 2 dozen leases in the area which provide a living for dozens of men and women. Some of the leaseholders have been in the Inlet for 30 or more years, working their leases year round. Some live on the upland attached to the lease and have built interesting homes there.
Aquaculture can be very hard work, also often done in some very nasty weather. Farmers grow oysters on long lines, in trays suspended from floats, a grid of lines and anchors. There are also beach leases which require working at low tide. These are seeded with millions of minute oyster spat and the mortality rate can be very high. Oyster spat (seed) is purchased from commercial nurseries and it is also gathered by various collector methods in nearby Pendrell Sound. This lovely boating destination is a vital area for local oyster farmers. It has unusually warm waters and the oyster spat can set on the collectors in huge quantities.
Besides oysters, the local Aquaculture industry grows farmed clams, mussels and scallops. There are projects underway to develop larger seed that is grown out locally to be made available for sale locally. The farmers are all very involved in keeping the waters of this area clean and viable, through their farming techniques and general lifestyle commitments.
Three or four times each spring / summer local aquaculture farmers and other volunteers gather as a work crew for "Cleanup Day". They travel in their large skiffs through Okeover Inlet, Malaspina Inlet and Lancelot Inlet where they gather up all the debris that has been washed into the small bays. The big southeasterly storms often break up some of the floats and grids they've built on their farms. The farmers take boatloads of debris to the Harbour where it's thrown into dumpsters rented for this purpose, most of it recycled.
Aquaculture can be very hard work, also often done in some very nasty weather. Farmers grow oysters on long lines, in trays suspended from floats, a grid of lines and anchors. There are also beach leases which require working at low tide. These are seeded with millions of minute oyster spat and the mortality rate can be very high. Oyster spat (seed) is purchased from commercial nurseries and it is also gathered by various collector methods in nearby Pendrell Sound. This lovely boating destination is a vital area for local oyster farmers. It has unusually warm waters and the oyster spat can set on the collectors in huge quantities.
Besides oysters, the local Aquaculture industry grows farmed clams, mussels and scallops. There are projects underway to develop larger seed that is grown out locally to be made available for sale locally. The farmers are all very involved in keeping the waters of this area clean and viable, through their farming techniques and general lifestyle commitments.
Three or four times each spring / summer local aquaculture farmers and other volunteers gather as a work crew for "Cleanup Day". They travel in their large skiffs through Okeover Inlet, Malaspina Inlet and Lancelot Inlet where they gather up all the debris that has been washed into the small bays. The big southeasterly storms often break up some of the floats and grids they've built on their farms. The farmers take boatloads of debris to the Harbour where it's thrown into dumpsters rented for this purpose, most of it recycled.