Skagit Shellfish

Thank you, Risa Schnebly & Cascadia Daily News for this article about our Olympia oysters and the restoration efforts in our area!

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When the Puget Sound Restoration Fund approached [Francisco Santelices, the manager of Skagit Shellfish] in 2022, asking him if he’d be interested in growing Olympia oysters, he jumped at the opportunity.

“We understand that this is a long-term project that requires a lot of effort, but it’s very important to help and contribute to rescue one species that disappeared from our bay,” Santelices said.

Skagit Shellfish’s population steadily grew for the first two years before parts of Skagit Bay froze over in 2024, wiping out a solid portion of the Olys. Now, Santelices estimates the company has about 66,000 Olympia oysters — a modest number, but one that Santelices remains hopeful about.

The end goal is not far from what Fidalgo Bay looks like now: “The idea is to make them grow and thrive,” Santelices said, “to create a little Olympia oyster area that they can sustain themselves in Skagit Bay.”

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https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/jul/31/a-decades-long-quest-to-restore-washingtons-only-native-oyster-sees-success/