Give a Shuck for our Oceans

June 6th, 2017

June 8th is World Oceans Day, an international celebration of our oceans where people all over the world collaborate to make the future of our oceans better. This year’s focus is on plastic pollution and solutions to marine litter, an important theme in California. California was the first state in the nation to adopt a statewide plastic bag ban – something we continue to defend as Congress considers measures to repeal local and state bans. California is also in the midst of implementing a nationally renowned trash policy to eradicate all trash from our waterways by 2031.

Every day is oceans day for California Waterkeepers and Blue Business Council member Hog Island Oyster Co. Because nothing is more important than the health and cleanliness of the ocean, Hog Island will donate 10% of their proceeds on June 8 from all of their locations to Humboldt Baykeeper.

Hog Island and Humbolt Baykeeper crew first connected at the Humboldt Oyster Festival in 2014. Baykeeper Jennifer Kalt then interviewed Erik Schlagenbauf, Hog Island’s director of farm operations, about their oyster seed cultivation facility in Fairhaven and future plans for growing oysters in Humboldt Bay. After over two years of development, Hog Island broke ground in summer 2016 on California’s first permitted shellfish hatchery.

Listen to the interview on North Coast Environmental Center’s EcoNews Report.

Brenna Schlagenhauf, communications director, writes, “Jen has been an amazing advocate and steward for water quality and ensuring a healthy ecosystem for Humboldt Bay. Oysters and shellfish require healthy, clean waters to flourish and in return benefit the ecosystem by filtering and cleaning the Bay. Hog Island Oyster Co. and Humboldt Baykeeper share mutual interests to preserve and steward the health of Humboldt Bay. This opportunity to contribute directly to their work is a small act toward helping such important and ongoing work.”