11.12.2007 8:40 AM

San Francisco Oil Spill Closes State's Largest Oyster Producer

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San Francisco fisherman's wharf. Crabs farming has been effected by the oil spill

Photo: Istock

By Karen Berner

The latest oil spill in the bay of San Francisco has Marin’s largest oyster company closed temporarily. As a precautionary step, the Drakes Bay Oyster Company has halted production at their farm until damage assessment is completed. Oil has made its way to the Drakes Estuary, which is located on the south side of the Pt. Reyes National Seashore, putting the state’s largest oyster crops in danger.

According to the company’s owner, Drakes Bay produces “more than 80% of Marin County’s $3.3 million in farmed shellfish annually.” This accounts for more than half of California’s oyster crop.

Prolonged delays in production could force the company to close. As it stands, the company is facing millions of dollars worth of product losses and a good year and a half without oyster crop production.

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