Hump Island Oyster Company Spotlight: Harvesting Seafood for Dining Tables
In the heart of Southeast Alaska, nestled among the rugged coastline, lies the Hump Island Oyster Company. Founded in 2010, this family-run business has been a pillar of the region's aquaculture industry for over a decade.
The company, now featured in the Tide to Table series, specializes in oyster farming and the cultivation of bull kelp, a seaweed that requires no land, fertilizer, or freshwater to grow. This eco-friendly approach aligns with the series' focus on ecosystem stewardship and sustainable practices.
The Hump Island Oyster Company is home to approximately 5 million oysters, filtering an astonishing 250 billion gallons of water daily. These oysters are harvested, processed, and shipped out to consumers and distributors all over the United States.
But the Hump Island Oyster Company isn't just about business. The Sande family, who run the company, also operate a tasting bar and restaurant along the farm's waterfront. Here, patrons can watch the aquaculture process while enjoying fresh, sustainably sourced seafood, including the company's signature dish - grilled oysters with a secret sauce.
The secret sauce, a delightful blend of melted butter, minced garlic, and Sriracha sauce, is drizzled over the cooked oysters. The Hump Island Oyster Company crew enjoys these grilled oysters as a team, embodying the camaraderie within the aquaculture community.
The farm also purchases and cultivates Blue Hawaiian shellfish seed, or spat, as Alaskan waters are too cold for oysters to spawn naturally. This practice supports the expansion of the region's aquaculture industry by providing support, tools, and training to interested farmers.
The Hump Island Oyster Company's commitment to sustainability extends beyond their farming practices. They are planning to switch to solar power to reduce carbon emissions, furthering their eco-friendly initiatives.
Moreover, the bull kelp grown at the farm pulls carbon out of the atmosphere, contributing to the fight against climate change. Oysters, too, play a role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem by helping prevent algae blooms caused by fertilizer runoff that gets into the water.
The Tide to Table series, in addition to profiling members of the aquaculture community, aims to increase access to fresh, sustainably sourced American seafood. It also highlights the value of jobs provided by the aquaculture community, emphasizing the economic opportunities in this growing industry.
In a world where sustainability and delicious food go hand in hand, the Hump Island Oyster Company is a shining example of what can be achieved when passion, innovation, and environmental responsibility meet.
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