About Bay Center Farms
Fresh · Flavorful · Family Owned
Sustainable Shellfish Farming
Bay Center Farms: Pioneering Oyster Larvae Research in Willapa Bay Since 1971
In 1971, Bay Center Mariculture (BCM) started research on two important aquaculture practices from a location on the east side of Willapa Bay. The company derives its name from the rural community of Bay Center located on a peninsula that projects northwest toward the mouth of Willapa Bay.
Initially, the company was formed to research and develop methods on spawning and growing oyster larvae in addition to developing an algal system required to feed the larvae.
BCM’s Unfinished Venture into Salmon Sea Ranching
Bay Center Farms has explored a variety of approaches to support sustainable seafood, including salmon sea ranching, ghost shrimp abatement, and water quality improvement projects. Each effort reflects our commitment to balancing responsible stewardship of natural resources with the long-term success of local fisheries.
BCM’s Shift to Shellfish Farming & Oyster Production
Fortunately, during those same early years, the small shellfish hatchery was successful. In fact, successful enough that in the mid 70s, BCM was able to purchase one of the longest established oyster farms on the Willapa at the time. This put BCM into the shellfish farming business which is its main activity to date.
Over the years, the company has refined its farming methods to ensure a steady supply of premium oysters, while maintaining the health of the bay’s delicate ecosystem. Today, BCM’s oysters are recognized for their quality and flavor across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
From our farm in Willapa Bay to your table, Bay Center Farms delivers pure, fresh, and flavorful shellfish you can trust.
Our Oysters
Fresh · Flavorful · Sustainably Sourced
Bay Center Farms raises both oysters and clams, although oyster farming is our main focus.
1
A Glance at the Oyster Farming Process.
An oyster’s life begins with spawning, where eggs and sperm are released into the water in a population-wide reproduction event. This phenomenon can be replicated in a hatchery, and this is commonly done for most of Bay Center Farms’ oysters. In a matter of days, the fertilized egg will have developed two very small, thin shells and a cilia, or an organ that allows it to swim through the water.
2
How Oysters Attach and Grow: The Setting Stage
After this stage of development, an oyster will travel through the water until it finds a suitable place to live. It will then “set” or attach itself to a solid object, usually an old oyster shell, in order to continue growing.
3
Growing and Transplanting Oysters for Healthy, Sustainable Harvests
At Bay Center Farms, we take these old shells covered in young oysters (which we call spat) and distribute them across our nursery beds. These beds are usually chosen because they are the ones that give the oysters the best opportunity to grow. The oysters will remain on this bed for about a year, withstanding currents and predators, until they are ready to be moved to a new bed and start the next phase of their lives.
4
Final Oyster Beds Until Harvest
After about a year, the oysters must be moved to another bed to better accommodate an oyster’s next stage of growth. They are picked up by the dredges, which drag a metal mesh bag behind them to collect oysters from the beds, and placed onto the new bed. Any oysters that are missed by the dredge are collected by hand and placed into tubs. These tubs are then picked up at high tide, dumped on board and transplanted to the new beds. The oysters will stay on this bed for another couple years until they are of harvestable size.
5
Sustainably Harvesting, Processing, and Delivering Fresh Willapa Bay Oysters
Once an oyster can be harvested, they are once again picked up by the dredges and taken to our plant. The oysters are thoroughly washed and then sorted by size before being inspected for quality and freshness. Afterwards, they are packaged in bags of 5 dozen and shipped to our customers. Some of the smaller oysters are shucked and sold in our retail store, Seasonal Seafoods, along with our clams and other merchandise.
Providing Quality and Excellence Since 1971
Willapa Bay has been producing fresh, delicious oysters with a renowned reputation for 150 years.
Visit Us
Bay Center Farms
306 Dike Road
Bay Center, WA 98527
Mailing Address
PO Box 356
Bay Center, WA 98527
Follow Us on Facebook
Call
360-875-5519
Store Hours
Seasonal Seafoods
FRI / SAT / SUN: 10 AM–4 PM
seafood@baycenterfarms.com