Projects > Community Shellfish Farms > Drayton Harbor

The Drayton Harbor Community Oyster Farm represents a pioneering, multi-dimensional effort to restore clean water and shellfish harvesting in Drayton Harbor. Launched in 2001, the project planted oyster seed with community volunteers in waters that were prohibited to all shellfish harvest due to chronic bacterial contamination. In order to harvest oysters from this historic and productive shellfish growing area, the community would need to tackle pollution sources and achieve measurable water quality improvements in three years time. With the clock ticking, the community rallied to complete sewer repairs and inspections, stormwater monitoring along the shores, circulation studies and signage for resident and visiting boaters. Key to the success of these efforts was 1) keen interest from the press committed to publishing regular status reports in local newspapers, and 2) the generous involvement of volunteers who embraced the cause as newly dubbed “Farmers of the Tideflats,” and devoted thousands of hours mucking around in the productive ooze of Drayton Harbor.

In June 2004, as a direct result of PSRF’s intensive community-based effort to reduce pollution, 575 acres were conditionally re-opened to shellfish harvest and the community feasted on Drayton Harbor oysters for the first time in ten years. Since then, these same community-grown oysters have become a favorite attraction at the Bellingham Farmers Market, local restaurants and at the Blaine Marina, where local residents can stroll down on a Saturday and enjoy a little taste of heaven – locally produced.

Since 1999, PSRF has raised $500,000 (cash) and $200,000 (in-kind) from over 40 sources to support on-the-ground efforts to restore shellfish harvesting in Drayton Harbor. The harvest and sale of oysters grown in Drayton Harbor since 2001 has generated $80,000 for re-seeding, ongoing pollution control and community involvement. In recent years, the project team has spearheaded and completed a groundbreaking microbial source tracking study that will be instrumental in directing pollution control efforts and leading to more proactive investigation in priority drainages.

Geoff Menzies has championed this project since its inception and served as project manager of the Drayton Harbor Community Oyster Farm. As the man at the helm he embodies all that is good about Drayton Harbor. In the words of Tom Cullen, one of the core volunteer oyster farmers, “No Roman Emperor ever gazed with greater affection on the golden sands of the Tiber than Geoff Menzies gazes on the black muck of Drayton Harbor.”

PSRF salutes Geoff and the diverse forces who contributed to this hard-fought, much-celebrated community achievement. In 2003, Governor Locke honored Geoff Menzies, manager of the Drayton Harbor Community Oyster Farm, and Betsy Peabody, Executive Director, as “local heroes” for their efforts in restoring Puget Sound shellfish growing areas.

Special thanks goes to Trillium Corporation and The Russell Family Foundation for their unwavering support.

Click here for a list of completed projects

Click here for a list of project partners

2003 Drayton Harbor Community Oyster Farm project list (PDF, 66K)

Ahh, this is what makes it all worthwile!
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