Our members are working to secure a low carbon future for the shellfish we all love to eat and the waters that sustain them—before it’s too late.
In 2018, a group of seven U.S. shellfish growers formed a partnership with The Nature Conservancy to create the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition. Today, we are more than 250 shellfish businesses from 25 U.S. states and Canada working to advocate for sound climate policy by highlighting how climate change has impacted our lives and livelihoods.
Opportunity
“Shellebrate” Earth Day with Climate Action
Shellfish aquaculture is essential to the health of our oceans and our communities. Protecting this industry and its many benefits will require bold, immediate climate action.
Featured Stories
Initiative
Heard on the Half Shell
Anywhere there’s a coastline, you can find climate impacts—now it’s time to inspire action by letting policymakers know how those impacts have touched the lives of shellfish farmers, coastal residents and the shellfish-loving public.
Interview
Uniting Shellfish Growers Around Climate: A Conversation with Sally McGee
Learn how the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition is lifting up growers' personal stories about the impacts of climate change.
Press Release
The Inflation Reduction Act is a Victory for Coastal Businesses and Communities
Historic Investment in Climate Solutions to Reduce Emissions by 40%
Blog
Oyster Hatcheries Help the Industry Adapt to Climate Change
How can the shellfish industry adapt to the challenges posed by climate change?
Contact the Coalition
Questions about the coalition or its work? Contact Sally McGee at smcgee@tnc.org.
About the Coalition
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.
Enter: the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition—a passionate group of shellfish farmers, harvesters, hatchery operators, wholesalers, retailers and restauranteurs from every U.S. coast and Canada. Members are committed to bringing about climate action by sharing personal stories about how climate change has impacted their lives and livelihoods. The coalition’s goal is to advocate for sound climate policy and secure a low-carbon future to benefit the shellfish we love and the waters that sustain them—before it’s too late.
Coalition FAQ
General
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How and why was the coalition established?
Our coalition was established in 2018 when a group of seven U.S. shellfish farmers partnered with The Nature Conservancy to help move the needle on climate change. We are an “endorsement” coalition, with all members supporting the goal of reduced carbon emissions. The SGCC is open to representatives from all food sectors who wish to engage with consumers and policymakers to help chart America’s course towards a low carbon future.
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Who are the founding members?
- Fishers Island Oyster Farm, NY (Sarah and Steve Malinowski)
- Hama Hama Company, WA (Lissa James Monberg)
- Hog Island Oyster Company, CA (John Finger and Terry Sawyer)
- Island Creek Oyster Company, MA (Chris Sherman)
- Rappahannock Oyster Company, VA (Ryan Croxton)
- Taylor Shellfish Farms, WA (Bill Dewey)
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Why do shellfish growers care about climate change?
Shellfish growers are seeing a range of impacts on their businesses and their bottom lines. Some are experiencing the impact of ocean acidification, which is influenced by increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, on larval oysters that are unable to grow shell properly. Others are seeing the effects of sea level rise on their coastal businesses. Increasing frequency and intensity of storms can impact shellfish growers’ facilities and their ability to reliably get products to market. And, increasing water temperatures can lead to higher levels of bacteria such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which negatively impact shellfish farms by adding costs to ensure shellfish safety. Now, more than ever, the ocean waters our members depend on are in peril.
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Why should the public be interested?
Climate change is nowhere more evident than along U.S. coastlines, where coastal communities and small business have borne the brunt of its destruction and devastation. While people understand the value of shellfish growers for farming and harvesting the seafood we all love to eat, the industry provides so much more than what’s on the raw bar. In many cases, our members have been farming from the sea for generations, and their businesses form the economic backbone of their small-town coastal communities. Moreover, shellfish is one of the most environmentally friendly and sustainable sources of protein, and certain species, such as oysters, can actually benefit the marine environment by filtering water, reducing shoreline erosion, and promoting marine biodiversity. The stakes are high, and by lifting up our voices as members of the shellfish industry, we can create the momentum needed for other people and other industries to do the same.
Joining the Coalition
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What is involved in joining the coalition?
All members agree on certain fundamental issues relating to climate change. Specifically:
- 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 secure public support for clean energy policies.
- Enacting policies that reduce carbon emissions and encourage low-carbon choices are crucial to a low carbon future.
Prospective members are asked to sign a conflict of interest form (to ensure no conflicts exist between the business and The Nature Conservancy). They are also asked to sign a Corporate Agreement among all Coalition members. That’s all that’s necessary to join!
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What can coalition members do once they’ve joined?
The level of engagement is up to each individual member—some members are happy to simply have their company’s name listed as a member our put our logo on their website, while others join our Executive Committee or gather on Capitol Hill during Lobby Days. Many of our activities relate to The Nature Conservancy’s climate strategies, which form the foundation of the Coalition’s policy activities.
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How can I join the coalition?
If you’re a shellfish business and care about acting on climate, join the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition today by filling out this form.
Impact
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Is this really going to have a positive impact on climate change?
More and more members of the shellfish industry are reaching out to us to join the coalition every day, so there is growing strength in numbers. Member businesses engage with thousands of consumers; our expanding coalition has significant reach in terms of consumers and policymakers. Leveraged with The Nature Conservancy’s sound science and climate strategy, we expect the coalition will exercise significant influence at the state and federal level in terms of climate policy. By sharing out our unique, firsthand experiences with climate impacts with legislators and decisionmakers, we hope to turn the tide on climate action—before it’s too late.
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What about other food sectors?
Coalition members have close business relationships with seafood wholesalers, restaurants and others that rely on a dependable source of shellfish, many of whom have become members. Additionally, members recognize that other food sectors are feeling the impacts of climate change, as well. Whether that be farmers in the Midwest, winemakers in Virginia or supermarket chains across the country, the coalition looks forward to partnering with other food sectors to address climate change.
Join Our Coalition
If you’re a shellfish industry business and care about acting on climate, join today.
I’m InOur Members
The Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition represents nearly 250 members from all U.S. coasts and Canada—and steadily growing. Click below to discover the shellfish farmers, wholesalers, restaurateurs and vendors who are standing up for swift action on climate.
Coalition Membership by Region
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Pacific
Alaska
Alaska Shellfish Farms
Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery
Aquabionics
Blue Starr Oyster Co
Jakalof Oysters
Kaawu Shellfish Co.
Koru and Kelp
Marble Seafoods
OceansAlaska
Salty Lady Seafood Co.
Sea Grove Kelp Co.
Tommaso ShellfishCalifornia
Carlsbad Oyster Co
Glasspar Seafood
Hog Island Oyster Co
San Diego Bay Aquaculture
Santa Barbara Mariculture Co.
Saso
Tomales Bay Oyster Co.Colorado
Mountain Salt Seafood
Oregon
Erizo
Flying Fish Company
Olympia Oyster Bar
Nevør Shellfish Farm
Ronin Sushi
Southpark Seafood
Tidal Boar Foods
Whiskey CreekWashington
Baywater
Buk Bay Shellfish Farm
Calm Cove Oyster Co
Chelsea Farms
Chuckanut Shellfish
Eagle Rock Shellfish
Eight Row
Gooey Duck LLC
Goose Point Oysters
Hama Hama Co
HC Snail
Hood Canal Mariculture
Hustleshuck
JJ Brenner Shellfish Farm
Jorstad Creek Oyster Co.
Kamilche Sea Farms
Metropolitan Market
Neptune Seafood
Pacific Hybreed
Pleasant Bay Oyster Company
PNW Fresh
Seas the Day Oyster Bar
Set & Drift
Tokeland Hotel & Restaurant
Taylor Shellfish Farms
Willapa WildCanada
Industrial Plankton
Ondine Oceanfarm -
Northeast
Connecticut
Harmony Sea Farm
Healthy PlanEat
Leetes Island Oysters
Max’s Oyster Bar
New England Sea Farms
Niantic Bay Shellfish
Oyster Club
Precious Oysters
Shipwright's Daughter
Sixpenny Oysters
Stonington Kelp Co
Thimble Islands Ocean Farm>Delaware
Delaware Oyster Co.
George & Sons Seafood
Inland Bays OystersMaine
Aphrodite Oysters
Basket Island Oyster Co.
Bangs Island Mussels
Bar Harbor Oyster Co
Butterfield Shellfish
Chebeague Is. Oyster Co
Cranberry Oysters
Dewey’s Shellfish
Emily’s Oysters
Eros Oysters Co
Eventide Oyster Co.
Ferda Farms
Glidden Point
Highroller Lobster Co.
Ice House Oysters
Inland Lobster
Lanes Island Oysters
The Lobster Shop
Long Cove Sea Farm
Love Point Oysters
Luke's Lobster
Maine Ocean Farms
Maine Oyster Co
Maine Shellfish Developers
Mere Point Oysters
Mook Sea Farm
Nauti Sisters Sea Farm
Nice Oyster Co.
Nonesuch Oysters
North Haven Oyster Co
Oyster Tracker
Pemaquid Oyster Farm
Snow Island OystersMassachusetts
Aquacultural Research Corp
Buttermilk Bay Oyster Co.
Beach Point Shellfish
Cape Cod Oyster Co
Cottage City Oysters
Cuttyhunk Shellfish Farm
Denarius Trading Co.
Great Marsh Shellfish Co
Island Creek Oysters
Mac’s Seafood
Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Grp
Merry Oysters
Mill Creek Oyster Co
Nantucket Sound Shellfish Co.
Pangea Shellfish
Pocomo Meadow Oysters
Real Oyster Cult
SEAPA USA
Sweetheart Creek Oyster Co
Ward Aquafarms
Wellfleet Seafood CoNew Hampshire
Cedar Point Oyster Farm
Fox Point Oysters
NH Superior Oysters
Swell Oyster Co.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
Archer Oyster
Blue Oyster Environmental
Congressional Seafood
Double T Oyster Ranch
S.S. ShuckingNew Jersey
40 North
Barnegat Oyster Collective
Betsy's Cape Shore Salts
Blood Point Oyster
Brigantine Oyster Co.
Cape May Salt Oyster Co.
Greene Hook
Laughing Gull Oyster Farm
Lighthorse Tavern
Seven Bridges
Sloop Point Oysters
Sweet Amalia Oyster FarmNew York
Aeros Cultured Oysters
Blue Heaven BBQ
Cleaver Co.
Crave Fish Bar
Cull & Pistol
Dock to Dish
Empire Oyster
Fishers Island Oyster Farm
Flex Mussels
Gaiergy Corporation
Green Point Fish
Hampton Oyster Co.
Little A's Oysters
Little Creek Oysters
Little Ram Oyster Co.
Lobster Place
Lucky 13 Oysters
Marlow Collective
Montauk Shellfish Co.
Oysterponds
OystersXO
Race Rock Shellfish
Salt Water Oyster Farm
Seamore's
Stein Seafoods
Thatch Island Oysters
Towd Point Oysters
Violet Cove Oysters
West Robins
Widow's Hole OystersPennsylvania
Muddy Waters Oyster Bar
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Southeast / Gulf Coast
Alabama
Bama Bay Oyster Farm
Bon Secour Bay Oyster Co.
Depe's Oysters
Fairhope Oyster Co.
Maureena Jean's Oysters
Point au PinsFlorida
Bay Shellfish
Big Moon Sea Farm
Cedar Key Sea Farms
Chiles Rest. Group
Cypress Point Oyster Co.
Dog Island Blues Clam Co.
Grayson Bay Oyster Co.
Halcyon Sea Farm
Indian River Oyster Co.
Lost Coast Oyster Co.
OysterMom
Palmetto Island Oysters
Pelican Oyster Co.
Pensacola Bay Oysters
Salt Block Hospitality Grp
Seaventure Clam Co.
Serenoa Shellfish
Shell Game Products
Stanish and Minter Oyster Co.
Treasure Coast ShellfishGeorgia
E. L. McIntosh & Son Seafood
Inland Seafood
Kimball House
Seabear Oyster Bar
Watchman'sLouisiana
Bright Side Oysters
Coastal Development Projects
Grand Isle Sea FarmsNorth Carolina
Carolina Gold Oyster Co.
Chadwick Cree Oysters
Crystal Coast Oysters
Falling Tide Oyster Co.
Ghost Fleet Oyster Co.
Hold Fast Oyster Co.
Middle Sound Mariculture
N. SEA. Oyster Company
Oyster Carolina
Shephard's Point Oyster Co.
Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar
Slash Creek Oyster Co.South Carolina
Barrier Island Oyster Co.
Charleston Oyster Farm
Dok2Door
Lady Island Oysters
Mary River Charters
Mary River Oyster Co.
Nico Oysters + Seafood
SeabornTennessee
Henrietta Red
Texas
Comedor
Minamoto SeaChange
Prestige Oysters
Texas Sustainable Oyster
Water Street Oyster BarVirginia
Bay Watch Oyster Seeds
High and Dry
H.M. Terry Co.
Lambert Shellfish
Matheson Oyster Co.
Muddy Waters Oyster Farm
Oyster Seed Holdings
Rappahannock Oyster Co.
Rogue Oysters
Ruby Salts Oyster Co.
Shooting Point Oysters
Spencer's Creek
Vogt Oysters
White Stone Oyster Co. -
Friends of the Coalition
Organizations
Aquarium of the Pacific
East Coast Shellfish Growers Association
Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association
Gino Macchio Foundation
James Beard Foundation
Maine Aquaculture Association
Massachusetts Aquaculture Association
Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association
RPS Group
South Carolina Aquarium
University of Massachusetts Boston School for the EnvironmentIndividuals
Ole Amundsen
Mary and Brad Burnham
Candice Chevaillier
Keri Chiaponne
Sue Colson
Mike Dutton
Gef Fimlin
Stephen Hamm
Jaye Hefner
Dorothy Leonard
Benjamin Lowy
Daniel Mallahan
Nicolette Mariano
Sandy McFarlane
Bill Moore
Julie Qiu / In A Half Shell
Lily Raphael
Bob Rheault
Scott Soares
Mandy Uticone
Bill and Beth Walton
Everyone has to now do their part because we may be too late. And I believe we can turn the clock back, but it takes everyone. And we, as the bivalve aquaculture community, are a big part of the solution.
What You Can Do
Climate action starts with you—learn how you can speak up to help protect the future of the shellfish you love to eat, the communities that grow them and the coastlines that sustain them.
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Call your lawmakers using our script
Senate: A list of phone numbers is available here—all numbers start with (202) 224.
Alternatively, you can find your Senator’s phone number on their website OR you can call (202) 224-3121 and asked to be connected to your senator.
House of Representatives: You can find your representative’s phone number online here OR you can call (202) 224-3121 and asked to be connected to your representative. Not sure who your representative is? Find them using your zip code here.
Once you’re connected, here’s what you can say. (This script is just a starting point; feel free to personalize and include details about your own climate experience.) Don’t be dismayed if they suggest you leave a message—this is very common.
- Hello, I’d like to speak with a legislative aide about climate change.
- My name is ______ and I’m a ________ (shellfish grower, restauranteur, concerned citizen etc) from _________.
- I’m calling to urge [Representative/Senator] _________ to pass legislation that will help decarbonize the economy and adapt to climate pressures—including clean energy tax credits, support for climate-smart food production, investments in nature-based solutions, and funding for coastal resilience.
- Climate change is already an emergency for coastal businesses and communities. Ocean acidification, extreme heat, sea level rise, and more damaging storms are threatening our lives and livelihoods—and any further delay will only worsen the impacts.
- I’m asking [Representative/Senator] ___________ to help protect my business and my community from the worst effects of climate change.
- Thank you for your time and consideration.
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Share your climate change story
Hear featured stories from coalition members, friends and supporters—and share your own story about the impacts of climate change on your life. Speak up.
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Follow us on Instagram
Show your support for the coalition by following @shellfish4climate on Instagram. Follow us.
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Sign up for SGCC Climate Currents
Get the latest and greatest coalition updates delivered to your inbox each quarter. Sign up.
Donate Today
Our members are working to secure a low carbon future for the shellfish we all love to eat and the waters that sustain them—before it’s too late.
Our Featured Film
Against The Tide: Shellfish Growers Push Back Against Climate Change
Climate change is disrupting the livelihoods of shellfish business owners across the East, the West and the Gulf coasts. While they’ve each experienced this global challenge uniquely, Against the Tide draws out their stories, documenting the shared challenges that bind these small businesses together and chronicling their motivations to take action on climate.
Watch the Trailer
Interested in hosting a screening of Against the Tide in your community?
Contact Sally McGee at smcgee@tnc.org for more information.
Featured Stories
Initiative
Heard on the Half Shell
Anywhere there’s a coastline, you can find climate impacts—now it’s time to inspire action by letting policymakers know how those impacts have touched the lives of shellfish farmers, coastal residents and the shellfish-loving public.
Interview
Uniting Shellfish Growers Around Climate: A Conversation with Sally McGee
Learn how the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition is lifting up growers' personal stories about the impacts of climate change.
Press Release
Shellfish Groups Urge Climate Action in Infrastructure and Reconciliation Bills
In a letter sent to Congressional leadership, the shellfish growers coalitions emphasized the need for strong climate provisions in the infrastructure and reconciliation bills and urged swift passage.
Blog
Oyster Hatcheries Help the Industry Adapt to Climate Change
How can the shellfish industry adapt to the challenges posed by climate change?
Does your company grow or sell shellfish? Do you manufacture aquaculture gear or other materials that support shellfish aquaculture? Then your company’s participation in the Coalition is vital. Together, we can show that our industry is deeply concerned not just about its prosperity, but its very survival. Join the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition to be part of the solution.