Turn key oyster farm near Homer, Alaska!

Approved species for culture:

Pacific Oyster and Blue Mussel

Approved species for harvest:

Ribbon kelp, Sugar kelp, Bull kelp, Red ribbon kelp, and Three-ribbed kelp

Site Description:

The aquatic farm site is located one mile inside Jakolof Bay, within Kachemak Bay, ~10 nautical miles from Homer, Alaska. The transferrable Alaska Department of Natural Resources aquatic farm lease is 4 parcels totaling 9.85 acres. A Shellfish Shipper Dealers license and HACCP plan have been permitted that allows the farmer to sale oysters and mussels directly to the public. Oyster spat can be purchased and planted each year with mature oysters harvested at age 2-3 years. Oyster spat planted in 2023 was 127,000 and in 2022 100,000 seed. Indigenous Blue mussels harvest varies each year depending on the natural set and accumulation in the nets. Five indigenous species of kelp are approved for harvest from natural set on the longlines and gear.

Parcels 1, 3, and 4 hold longline and lantern net systems for suspended culture of Pacific oysters. All the parcels combined can contain up to 16 longlines, sized 250-650 ft, made of ¾ in nylon line and spaced 20 ft apart. A variety of 5-, 8-, and 10-tiered lantern nets are used with lengths of 3.5, 5.5, and 6.4 ft, respectively. The depth of suspended lantern nets is 6 ft and water depth at low tide is approximately 12 ft. Buoys are located along the longlines, between lantern net stacks. Each longline on Parcels 1 and 3 is anchored with 2 anchors (2,800 and 8,000 lbs) at depths of 18-30 ft and attached to mooring buoys with 5/8 in poly-steel line. The longline on Parcel 4 is anchored with two 600 lb Danforth anchors.

Parcel 1 has 8 work rafts (two 8x40 ft, two 8x45 ft, three 4x20 ft, and one 4x10 ft) attached with 3 separate bridle lines and anchored by two 500 lb Danforth anchors using 1 ½ in poly-steel line. One work raft has a 4x4 ft storage shed and one raft has a 12x12 ft storage shed. Two bridle lines, one at each end of the raft structure, is attached to a mooring buoy using 1 ¼ in poly-steel line.

Parcel 2 is used for hardening oysters and defouling culture gear.

Equipment:

·     Aluminum 29' work skiff with hydraulic unit for boom, capstan, 2 star rollers, removable aluminum worktable

·     2018 ETEC 50 hp outboard motor

·     Honda water pump and hose

·     QuickTube aluminum oyster sorter/tumbler/washer

·     Eight work rafts totaling ~2000 sq ft

·     2 metal storage sheds - 4’x4’ & 12’x12’

·     Two aluminum worktables attached to work raft with covers

·     ~3,000 ft long lines for grow out, misc. anchors, buoys, and lantern nets