April/May 2012
The Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District is exploring ways to expand the oyster industry while protecting the environment. Last August, the District was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Headwaters Fund, which—if successful—could allow expansion of oyster farming into pre-approved areas of the bay.
The project will examine ways to grow oysters without impacting eelgrass beds and other species in the bay mudflats. The District will also—if oyster growers and resource agencies can figure out how —work to put permits in place that will allow new or existing companies to expand into specific areas.
Seeing an economic opportunity that is not reliant on outside investors, the District decided to explore the possibility of a master permitting process that would address environmental impacts on a more holistic level. It would also reduce the burden on reviewing agencies while reducing costs of individual permits.
Five shellfish companies currently operate on 325 acres of tidelands in Humboldt Bay, employing 56 full-time workers, with total annual sales of $6 million. Oyster growers estimate that 1.2 jobs can be created for every six acres put into production.
