"We’ve been having some great success with oysters," said Orleans Harbormaster Dawson Farber IV at the board of selectmen meeting Wednesday.
He added that it would be a while before Orleans could compete with Wellfleet but that oyster seed planted earlier in the summer is already approaching maturity.
Farber went before the board to ask for the shellfish regulations to be amended to include the taking of oysters commercially. The board agreed and voted to amend the regulation to allow for the commercial and recreational taking of oysters in Orleans waters to one 10-quart pail per week.
Farber said that the wild oyster population is sufficient to support the commercial taking at the set limit, but that the oyster population could not handle an increase at this time.
Before the meeting, Farber said the harbormaster department includes $18,000 in the operating budget for shellfish seeding and this year efforts have focused on oysters and quahogs.
Orleans oysters take hold, thrive
US - Could Orleans oysters someday rival those of other Cape towns such as Wellfleet? Locals who enjoy a good oyster should be encouraged that seeding efforts in Orleans waters are providing better than expected results.