Oyster season on the way, watermen are gearing up in hopes of a more prosperous season
DELMARVA – Oyster season is upon us and the industry is gearing up, but with last year’s struggles what does that mean for this season? According to Chris Wyer, Vice President of Sales and Manufacturing at Hooper’s Island says, “It’s still hit or miss right now, it’s going to be an interesting next five six months, we’ll see what happens.”
We’re told last year the seafood industry was hit hard, specifically, the oyster industry. “Everyone was looking at too many oysters in the water and not enough demand so it was a dark time in the industry for sure,” says Wyer. This past season had it’s fair share of ups and downs; between restaurants being shut down, bad weather, a lack of empty oyster shells, and shortage of worker, the industry is still recovering. Wyer adds, “It’s a scary time because of course when you’re planning your generation, you have to sort of guess what you’re going to be selling 12 to 16 months out.”
However, according to Jim Mullin with the Maryland Oyster Watermen association, things could be looking up. “There are a tremendous amount of small oysters in the bay and that is a very encouraging sign.” He tells 47 ABC, it’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to oysters.
This season may show a lot of promise for the industry side, but now it’s all about the market and the economy. Watermen say it’s about getting those oysters out of the water, and onto the table. “Little bit of the jitters is okay, I’ll say let’s see what’s going to happen moving forward, but there’s a positive out look in the industry this year, I can say that much,” says Mullin.
Watermen also tell us, the demand for oysters will be there this year so they’re ready to start dredging, and keep the industry thriving. Wyer says, “The demand is still going to be there. I guess the only question would be the vaccines, the closures, the mask mandates and then the labor shortage I mean that’s going to tell everything.” He adds, “If the restaurants are open, I think we have a healthy market that we can stumble through the fall and spring, and then regroup for next fall.”
Wyer also tells us, we are going to feel the affects of the pandemic in the oyster industry well into next year, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing it just might take some patience to move forward.
Watermen say, as long as there are no major hurricanes or diseases among the oysters, then the smaller oysters can continue to grow to market size and give the industry a better outlook for next year.
