Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS AN OYSTER?
An oyster is a marine invertebrate animal that lives in salt and brackish water. Oysters are bivalves: two shells connected by a hinge, which enclose and protect their muscles and organs.
ARE MAINE OYSTERS ALL THE SAME SPECIES?
All oysters grown in Maine are the same species, Crassostrea virginica, the American or Eastern oyster, which ranges along the East Coast of North America from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Brazil, and Argentina. Maine consumers might occasionally see European (flat or Belon) oysters, Ostrea edulis, on the menu. These were introduced to Maine waters in the mid-twentieth century and developed self-sustaining populations in some parts of midcoast Maine. Other species of oyster grow on both sides of the Pacific and in Australia and New Zealand.
HOW ARE MAINE OYSTERS DIFFERENT THAN THOSE FROM OTHER STATES OR CANADA?
Clean, cold waters are key to the high quality of Maine oysters. According to In A Half Shell’s Julie Qiu, “The pristine environment and bracingly cold waters of the Gulf of Maine make the oysters here taste a cut above the rest. You just can’t deny the crisp brininess and bone-broth savoriness of the oysters that come out of these waters.”
WHERE CAN I BUY OYSTERS?
Oysters are available from select seafood markets and, in some cases, directly from growers. Basket Island Oyster Company can provide oysters directly to the end consumer depending on time of year and our inventory. Feel free to call if interested. You can also see some of the restaurants our oysters are served in here.
CAN I VISIT YOUR OYSTER FARM?
Absolutely! Please email about a reservation for a farm tour. We are located in beautiful Casco Bay off the Portland, Maine shore.
WHAT DO OYSTERS EAT?
Oysters eat algae, mostly, and other bits of microscopic detritus. They pump water through their gills and extract the nutritious particles. Through this filtering action, oysters help keep water clear.
WHY DO OYSTERS FROM DIFFERENT FARMS VARY IN APPEARANCE AND TASTE?
Even though all of Maine’s cultured oysters are the same species, they vary widely in size, shape, color, etc. due to their growing conditions. The look and taste of each oysters varies by location depending on what kind of algae they eat, culture technique, and water flow, temperature, and salinity.
Our Basket Island oysters have a distinct flavor and are grown on our farm in Casco Bay.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR OYSTERS TO REACH MARKET SIZE?
Oysters typically are ready to harvest in two to three years, depending on temperature and other local conditions.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO EAT OYSTERS?
If oysters are on the menu, they are safe to eat in any month. Keep oysters cold! Purchased oysters should be stored in the refrigerator, packed loosely and covered with a damp towel. Eat within 14 days. The old adage about not eating oysters in months without an ‘R’ comes from the days when refrigeration was much less available than today. The Maine Department of Marine Resources does an amazing job monitoring the water along the Maine coast to ensure oysters are harvested only during those times when they are safe to eat.
WHAT NUTRITIONAL VALUE DOES AN OYSTER HAVE?
Oysters are low in fat and calories and provide an excellent source of zinc, iron and selenium, and a moderate amount of protein.
HOW MANY FARMS ARE THERE IN MAINE?
Approximately 80, as of August 2017.
DOES FARMING OYSTERS HARM THE ENVIRONMENT?
No. Oysters actually help keep water clear as they filter algae and other food particles from the water—which is why people are trying to restore oyster reef habitat in many areas, and why water quality is one of the biggest concerns for an oyster farmer. That said, it only takes one irresponsible oyster farmer to tarnish the entire industry. We tend to do a lot of self-policing. Oyster farmers do not take kindly to those individuals that leave their farms unsightly.
IS IT OK TO BRING MY KAYAK OR SMALL MOTOR BOAT NEAR AN OYSTER FARM TO GET A CLOSER LOOK?
Oyster farms are private businesses. We have people stop by Basket Island Oyster Company all the time to see what we are up too. Please feel free to pull up to the raft if you see us out working. Otherwise, please call ahead before visiting and be respectful of farmers at work on the water. If you are boating, please mind your wake, and give farms a generous berth as lines can tangle into propellers or kayak paddles.
DO OYSTERS GROW IN THE WILD IN MAINE?
Yes. There are pockets of oysters that have persisted in the upper reaches of estuaries since the last Ice Age. More recently, cultured oysters began reproducing on their own, leading to self-sustaining populations. Read more about wild oysters in Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors.