An Oyster Life (Blog) — Aquaculture

On the Chesapeake we have been lucky the past two years to have experienced relatively mild winters. 2022 things have kicked up a notch as expected.  Exposed on the Chesapeake Bay, White Stone is subject to all of mothers nature's fury. The cold temperatures are not fun but they can be managed with a few extra layers of clothes. What gives us the real challenge managing an oyster farm over the winter are the rushing winds of Nor’easters.   Nor’easters (named from the direction of the storm's wind) are low pressure winter storms that typically form 100 miles off the US eastern coasts...

My name is Tom Perry and I dreamt up the idea for White Stone from my kayak in the spring of 2013. My mission since day one has been to grow the very best oyster on the Chesapeake Bay. I believed that finding the absolute ideal location and implementing the proper growing method was going to be fundamental to achieving this task. In 2014 we delivered our very first oyster to the Homestead Resort in Western Virginia and we haven’t looked back since.  We now regularly sell millions of oysters per year and in December of 2021, sent individual boxes...

One of our ongoing missions at White Stone Oyster Co. is finding ways to Better the Bay. Not only do we make our livelihood from these waters, but we also care deeply for this region, its ecology and its people. To that end, we want to share these helpful tips from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation on how you can celebrate the holidays while protecting the Chesapeake Bay. Buy local! We know everyone says this, but it truly makes a huge difference. The Chesapeake region’s industries were hit hard by COVID-19 and every dollar counts. Veggies, oysters, seafood and more can...

As part of the largest aquaculture industry on the east coast, we take our role in protecting the Chesapeake Bay seriously. Not only does a clean bay produce better oysters, but it’s important to us that we continue restoring this area into the thriving ecosystem it one was. At the time of a 2019 study, the wild oyster population was less than 1% of what it was historically. This creates a toxic buildup of algae and nutrients that choke the waterway. By introducing farmed oysters like ours, we can begin to filter the bay. On average, 100,000 oysters can remove...

Obviously, we think oysters are super interesting, but here are a few reasons you should as well. Pop out one of these fun trivia factoids at one your next oyster roast to be the coolest guy at the party! New York Was First When the Dutch first arrived in Manhattan in the 17th century, oyster beds were everywhere. People could find raw oysters in saloons, at street vendors and in every restaurant. For many, they were a daily protein. As demand increased however, most of the oyster beds in the area were destroyed. Today, there’s a growing movement to help...

We believe in caviar for the people, which is why we’re proud to offer several types of roe and caviar on our site. Caviar doesn’t have to be something only enjoyed in the most expensive restaurants. It’s an extremely versatile add on. Try it on raw or cooked oysters, crackers, potato chips or as part of your seafood spread. Order now or take a look at our current caviar and roe offerings below. Hackleback Caviar A tasty, dark and mild roe harvested from American sand sturgeons indigenous to the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. All the classic taste of a sturgeon...

Aside from being water cleaning powerhouses, oysters can have some pretty dramatic effects on your body. They’re packed with nutrients that can affect both body and mind, from boosting your immune system to improving heart health. Adding oysters to your weekly grocery list is easier than ever with free shipping from White Stone Oysters to the lower 48 states. Nutrition Oysters are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. They’re a great source of protein, vitamin D, zinc, iron and copper. As well, they have high levels of Vitamin C, phosphorus, niacin, and riboflavin. Is your head spinning yet? It doesn’t...

Oysters have been a key player in the recovery of the Chesapeake Bay. They’re workhorses that can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day according to a recent article from Yale. Aquaculture oysters in particular play a unique role. While they may not be reproducing, they’re still recruiting other marine life and filtering water. Oysters bring grass shrimp for example, which in turn promotes populations of rockfish and crabs, with predators following them. There are three key ways in particular oysters benefit the Chesapeake Bay. Water Filtration As we said above, oysters can filter up to 50 gallons...