Alaska oyster growers have a new way to showcase the diversity of shellfish being raised across the state through the newly launched Alaska Oyster Voyage.
Alaska Sea Grant partnered with the Alaska Shellfish Growers Association to develop the online resource, which allows consumers to find Alaska oyster vendors, discover oysters from different growing regions and keep track of the varieties they have sampled.
The project went live in early June and was inspired by oyster trail programs developed by Sea Grant organizations in Maine and North Carolina. Alaska’s version was adapted to fit a state where oyster farms and markets can be separated by significant distances.
“We’ve got about 20 oyster farms throughout the state,” Alaska Sea Grant shellfish mariculture specialist James Crimp said. “We have more diversity among the flavors and the shapes and sizes of our oysters than maybe any other state, because our oysters range from Kodiak to Kachemak Bay to Prince William Sound and Southeast.”
That geographic range is part of the appeal. Differences in salinity, water temperature, plankton and growing methods can influence an oyster’s flavor, shape, size and texture, giving oysters raised in different parts of Alaska their own characteristics.
The Alaska Oyster Voyage includes a map showing where consumers can purchase oysters throughout the state, either in person or through vendors offering mail-order options. The tool can be used by residents and visitors planning trips around Alaska or by consumers interested in comparing oysters produced in different growing areas.
The site also features an oyster tasting log where users can record shell size, meat-to-shell ratio, mouthfeel and primary and secondary flavors. Flavor options range from briny, sweet and umami to fruity, nutty, buttery and melon.
“Filling that out encourages you to really savor the oyster tasting experience, instead of just throwing it down the hatch,” Crimp said.
Users who submit a tasting entry with a photo are also entered into a monthly drawing for oyster-related prizes, including a Salmon Sisters T-shirt, shucking knife and pocket oyster tasting guide. The site offers access to an Alaska Shellfish Growers Association newsletter featuring shellfish recipes, facts and stories.
Beyond giving oyster enthusiasts a new way to explore Alaska-grown shellfish, the project provides another avenue for promoting the state’s developing mariculture sector and connecting growers with consumers.
Crimp said oysters are becoming increasingly popular among Alaskans, but awareness of the state’s locally grown shellfish still has room to grow. “People here know about our Alaskan salmon and halibut, and it’s great to share how good the oysters are as well.”
