East Coast Shellfish Growers Association

08/05/2026

07/16/2026

ECSGA Executive Assistant, Mason Bailey, had the pleasure of attending an "Oyster Social," hosted by our partner Billion Oyster Project at the Yacht Club restaurant in New York City.

Food and beverage industry members and the epicurious attended the event, celebrating the non-profit's shell recycling initiative, which has collected 3.2 MILLION POUNDS of used shells since 2015! These shells not only divert waste from overburdened landfills, but also serve as the foundation for future oyster reefs on numerous restoration sites across New York Harbor!

Co-sponsors of the event included the Crew Restaurant Group and Tito's Handmade Vodka, with delicious oysters provided by West Robins Oyster Company and ECSGA grower member Will Peckham.

07/14/2026

This fall we're excited to welcome Christopher Schillaci as ECSGA's incoming Executive Director! With 16 years advancing shellfish aquaculture policy at Massachusetts DMF and NOAA – including work on disease management, marine spatial planning, and regulatory reform – Chris brings deep expertise to our members' corner.

Welcome aboard, Chris!

06/30/2026

Did you know six oysters give you over 1,000% of your daily Vitamin B12?

We talk a lot about superfoods, but oysters have quietly been one of nature's most complete nutritional packages all along.

In just 3 ounces (roughly 6 medium oysters), you're getting
- 20+ grams of high-quality protein
- More than 10x your daily B12
- 5x your daily zinc, and 150% of your daily iron

all in a food with about 70 calories and minimal fat.

These nutrients aren't incidental. B12 supports your nervous system and red blood cell production. Zinc drives immune function and wound healing. Iron carries oxygen through your blood. Selenium acts as a powerful antioxidant for immune and thyroid health.

East Coast shellfish growers are proud to raise a product this good!

Sources: USDA FoodData Central, NIH, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

04/30/2026

After 18 years of extraordinary leadership, ECSGA's Executive Director Bob Rheault will be retiring at the end of 2026.

We are deeply grateful for everything Bob has built — and now we're looking for the next person to carry this work forward.

ECSGA is hiring an Executive Director to lead the voice of 1,500+ shellfish farmers from Maine to Florida. This is a part-time remote role (~20 hrs/week) for someone with a passion for aquaculture, policy, and coastal communities.

📩 To apply, email your cover letter, resume, and three professional references to: Jeffrey Auger, President
[email protected] · 207-475-5767
Subject line: Executive Director Job Application

04/09/2026

Big news for New England 🦪🌊

For decades, the U.S. has imported tens of millions of dollars of mussels from Canada and New Zealand. That may be about to change.

Newport Mussels has filed for approval with the US Army Corps of Engineers to launch the first offshore blue mussel farm in New England waters.

This is what the future of domestically produced, affordable, high-quality cultured seafood looks like! Read more about it at the link below:

https://www.aquaculturenorthamerica.com/newport-mussels-launches-permitting-for-north-atlantic-offshore-farm/