Workers at Fishers Island Oyster Farm examining oyster cages.
Fishers Island Oyster Farm Workers at Fishers Island Oyster Farm examining oyster cages. © Julia Qiu Photography

Climate Change Stories

Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition

A partnership between shellfish growers across the United States and The Nature Conservancy to inspire climate action now.

Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition Statement

From October 1, 2019

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Anywhere there’s a shoreline, you can find signs of the impacts of climate change—sea level rise, ocean acidification, increased frequency and severity of storms. You’ll also find shellfish growers, many of whom have been making their living farming from the sea for generations, and whose businesses form the backbone of their small-town coastal communities.

In 2018, a group of seven shellfish growers from both the east and west coasts formed a partnership with The Nature Conservancy to create the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition (SGCC), whose members are dedicated to bringing about climate policy action by sharing their stories of how climate change is already harming their operations, their businesses and their communities. In less than a year, the SGCC grew to over 100 members with operations from Alaska to Florida.

See where our member shellfish growers are located.

Stories from the Shore Shellfish growers are changing the game on climate.
Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition Member businesses recognize that climate change poses a threat to businesses and food production for a growing human population.

Check Out Our Featured Growers

Join Our Coalition

If you're in the shellfish industry and care about our climate, please join!

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The founding farmers of the SGCC recognize that climate change and carbon pollution pose a range of threats to their businesses and to food production more generally.

Members of the SGCC agree that:

• Human impact on the Earth’s climate system is well documented, scientifically understood and profound.
• Taking action to address climate change is imperative to secure the viability of our businesses, our communities and the natural resources they depend upon.
• Improving people’s understanding of climate change and its impact on our businesses represent an important way to promote and enact climate policies that guide America to a low carbon future.

The SGCC is committed to shining a light on how climate change is already affecting food production in the United States, and using the stories of shellfish growers and other businesses endangered by climate change as a way to start a broader conversation about the urgent need for climate action. Consumers care about where their food comes from, and whether the foods they love will continue to be available to them. We want more policy makers to recognize that it is not just jobs and the communities they support at stake as a result of climate change, but whether or not we will be able to feed a growing human population.

What You Can Do

Jointhe SGCC. The SGCC welcomes new business members. Climate change affects not only shellfish growers, but wholesalers, restaurants and others in the food industry. Your company’s participation in the Coalition is vital to demonstrate to the public and to lawmakers that our industry is deeply concerned not just about its prosperity, but its very survival, and that climate change is of concern not just to those who grow and consume shellfish, but everyone.

Meet a Few of Our Members

The Davis family manages operations of Baywater Inc., employing up to 10 people.
IN HOOD CANAL, WASHINGTON The Davis family manages operations of Baywater Inc., employing up to 10 people. © Jonathan P. Davis
Seth and Dorothy Garfield of Cuttyhunk Oysters are faced with adapting their business to a changing climate.
FARM FRESH OYSTERS Seth and Dorothy Garfield of Cuttyhunk Oysters are faced with adapting their business to a changing climate. © Kassia Garfield
The farm is a vital part of the Gullah Geechee waterfront.
CHARLESTON OYSTER FARM The farm is a vital part of the Gullah Geechee waterfront. © Charleston Oyster Farm
Helping DePe's Oysters in Alabama is Angelo DePaola's invention of the Shellevator.
Oysters in Mobile Bay Helping DePe's Oysters in Alabama is Angelo DePaola's invention of the Shellevator. © Andy DePaola
Taylor Shellfish Farms grows oysters in several locations in Washington state.
ON THE PACIFIC Taylor Shellfish Farms grows oysters in several locations in Washington state. © Taylor Shellfish Farms
Protected waters of Fishers Island Sound. are critical to Sarah and Steve Malinowski’s success as the owners and operators of Fishers Island Oyster Farm.
LONG ISLAND SOUND Protected waters of Fishers Island Sound. are critical to Sarah and Steve Malinowski’s success as the owners and operators of Fishers Island Oyster Farm. © Julie Qiu Photography
The company is a wholesaler, retailer and hospitality operation, employing over 250 people in its locations in Manhattan and the Bronx.
LOBSTER PLACE The company is a wholesaler, retailer and hospitality operation, employing over 250 people in its locations in Manhattan and the Bronx. © Max Flatow Photography
× The Davis family manages operations of Baywater Inc., employing up to 10 people.
× Seth and Dorothy Garfield of Cuttyhunk Oysters are faced with adapting their business to a changing climate.
× The farm is a vital part of the Gullah Geechee waterfront.
× Helping DePe's Oysters in Alabama is Angelo DePaola's invention of the Shellevator.
× Taylor Shellfish Farms grows oysters in several locations in Washington state.
× Protected waters of Fishers Island Sound. are critical to Sarah and Steve Malinowski’s success as the owners and operators of Fishers Island Oyster Farm.
× The company is a wholesaler, retailer and hospitality operation, employing over 250 people in its locations in Manhattan and the Bronx.

Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition Members

Pacific

Alaska

Blue Starr Oyster Co.
Jakalof Oysters

California

Carlsbad Oyster Co. 
Hog Island Oyster Co. 

Oregon

Olympia Oyster Bar
Whiskey Creek

Washington

Baywater
Chelsea Farms
Hama Hama Co. 
HC Snail
Hood Canal Mariculture
JJ Brenner Shellfish Farm
Kamilche Sea Farms
Pacific Hybreed
Taylor Shellfish Farms

Canada

Industrial Plankton

Northeast

Connecticut

Harmony Sea Farm
Max’s Oyster Bar
Niantic Bay Shellfish
Oyster Club
Sixpenny Oysters
Thimble Islands Ocean Farm

Maine

Chebeague Island Oyster Co.
Eros Oysters
Glidden Point
Lane Island Oysters
Love Point Oysters
Maine Oyster Co.
Maine Shellfish Developers
Mere Point Oysters
Mook Sea Farm.
Nice Oyster Co.
Nonesuch Oysters
Oyster Tracker
Pemaquid Oyster Farm
Snow Island Oysters

Massachusetts

Aquacultural Research Corp.
Beach Point Shellfish
Cape Cod Oyster Co.
Cottage City Oysters
Cuttyhunk Shellfish Farm
Island Creek Oysters
Mac's Seafood
Merry Oysters
Pangea Shellfish
SEAPA USA
Sweetheart Creek
Thatch Island Oysters
Ward Aquafarms
Wellfleet Seafood Co.

New Hampshire

Cedar Point Oyster Farm
Fox Point Oysters
NH Superior Oysters

Rhode Island

Allen Harbor Oysters
American Mussel Harvesters
Aquidneck Island Oysters
Behan Family Farm
Matunuck Oyster Farm
Walrus and Carpenter
Watch Hill Oysters

Mid-Atlantic

Maryland

Congressional Seafood

New York

Aeros Cultured Oysters
Cleaver Co.
Crave Fish Bar
Cull & Pistol
Dock to Dish
Fishers Island Oyster Farm
Gaiergy Corporation
Green Point Fish
Hampton Oyster Co.
Little Creek Oysters
Lobster Place
Lucky 13 Oysters
Marlow Collective
Montauk Shellfish Co.
Oysterponds
Race Rock Shellfish
Salt Water Oyster Farm
Stein Seafoods
West Robins
Widow's Hole Oysters

New Jersey

40 North
Barnegat Oyster Collective
Betsy's Cape Shore Salts
Cape May Salt Oyster Co.
Greene Hook
Laughing Gull Oyster Farm
Lighthorse Tavern
Sloop Point Oysters

Gulf Coast / Southeast

Alabama

Bama Bay Oyster Farm
Bon Secour Bay Oyster Co.
Depe's Oysters
Fairhope Oyster Co.
Maureena Jean's Oysters

Florida

Cedar Key Sea Farms
Chiles Rest. Group
Grayson Bay Oyster Co.
Indian River Oyster Co.
Lost Coast Oyster Co.
Oyster Mom
Palmetto Oyster Co.
Pelican Oyster Co.
Pensacola Bay Oysters

Georgia

Kimball House
Watchman's

Louisiana

Bright Side Oysters
Grand Isle Sea Farms

Mississippi

Fountain's Deer Island Oysters

North Carolina

Hold Fast Oyster Co.
Oysters Carolina

South Carolina

Barrier Island Oyster Co.
Charleston Oyster Farm
Lady Island Oysters
Seaborn

Tennessee

Henrietta Red

Virginia

Oyster Seed Holdings
Rappahannock Oyster Co.
Rogue Oysters
Spencer's Creek
Vogt Oysters
White Stone Oyster Co.

Friends of the Coalition

Organizations

East Coast Shellfish Growers Association
Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association
James Beard Foundation
Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association
RPS Group
South Carolina Aquarium


Individuals

Mary and Brad Burnham
Keri Chiaponne
Gef Fimlin 
Dorothy Leonard
Nicolette Mariano
Sandy McFarlane
Bill Moore
Julie Qiu, In A Half Shell
Bob Rheault
Mandy Uticone
Bill and Beth Walton

Support the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition

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