Raising Oysters

Willapa Bay is the perfect place for oysters. For thousands of years, oysters have drawn people to this coastal haven. Much of what originally made the bay special remains today. With minimal industry and a small population, it remains the cleanest large estuary in the continental United States. We believe Willapa Bay oysters are among the most unique in the world.

At Willapa Wild, our oysters thrive in the pristine waters of Willapa Bay and are hand-harvested daily. This meticulous process ensures they remain free of sand, making them perfect for cooking in the shell or enjoying raw.

The Oysters We Grow

We cultivate two types of oysters:

  • Olympia Oysters (Ostrea Lurida): The only indigenous oyster of the West Coast of the U.S., known for its small size and rich, coppery flavor. For more on Olympias click HERE.

  • Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea Gigas): The most commonly farmed oyster in the world, originally from Japan, renowned for its briny, mildly sweet taste and fast growth.  For more on Pacifics click HERE.

You can also learn about other species HERE

How We Grow Oysters

Growing an oyster takes between 10 months and five years, depending on where they are grown and the desired size.

Oysters at Willapa Wild begin life in one of two ways:

  1. Hatchery Grown: We purchase baby Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea Gigas) from commercial hatcheries when they are between 1mm and 12mm, depending on our needs. When they arrive, we place them into Bottle Upwellers—large 55L (14.5-gallon) bottles that force water to flow from the bottom and out the top. The water is drawn directly from the bay, providing essential nutrients for growth. After 3 to 4 months, when the oysters reach 9 to 12mm, they are transferred into mesh bags and set out on our beds for protection and further growth.

  2. Wild Set: These oysters are naturally conceived by other oysters in Willapa Bay. Oyster larvae are free-swimming organisms for the first few weeks of life, searching for a hard surface to attach to. To facilitate this, we place oyster shells and other materials on our beds for the larvae to settle on. Once attached, we remove them from the surface to encourage natural, well-formed growth instead of irregular shapes caused by attachment.

Each year, we redistribute oysters to ensure optimal growth. We remove them from the sand, monitor for starfish predation, and maintain a healthy population. Once the oysters reach market size, they are hand-picked at low tide, sorted into singles, and transported to the cannery for sale.