Jay Styron of Carolina Mariculture Co. has made it clear at a presentation hosted Feb. 18 by the Duke University Marine Science Lab (DUML) that oyster aquaculture business is gaining momentum in North Carolina. Tim Sartwell of the Duke chapter of the American Fisheries Society organized the presentation. Sartwell told that the mission of the society is to promote sustainable seafood. The crowd was able to sample some of the oysters raised by Styron, prepared by Bistro By the Sea. They were paired with wines provided by Becky Strokes of Dionysus Wine Distributors.
Styron runs Carolina Mariculture Co. with his wife, Jennifer in Cedar Island. He began his business in the spring of 2007. He said he did a lot of research on aquaculture on the Internet and by talking to people on where aquaculture is being conducted. It is said that majority of North Carolina-grown oysters are consumed in the state and there’s very little exportation done. Despite this, the state still imports most of its oysters, which means the demand is so high.
Styron said that there is not a single oyster industry in North Carolina and the state imports almost 75 percent of its oysters. While an industry may not exist yet, there is the potential for oyster businesses in the state.
Styron informed that it has tried two methods of suspended oyster growth. He’s tried floating raft systems that have several cages with bags of oysters attached to them. He’s also tried an adjustable longline system that suspends the cages along a cable. Styron sees aquaculture as a viable way to keep oysters in the economy. He also hopes to encourage it as a way to help the people in the Down East area of Carteret County, as well as improve the environment.
