Cape Cod Pearls: Oysters

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Biodiversity, Nature, Agriculture, Society, Wildlife, Culture

Ed Hessler

Variety it is said is the spice of life, provided by nature in so many ways. What exuberance! The foods we eat is an example.

CBS Sunday Morning's Seth Doane returned home to Massachusetts to highlight oysters, "the pearls of Cape Cod." His father, Paul Doane, "harvests oysters by the bucket--on the muddy flats, by hand with a  clam rake and large screw driver and wire basket-- in the town of Wellfleet. He shares his harvest with friends, an annual tradition, a dozen at a time.

Oyster harvesting requires a license and the baskets are often checked by a warden to see that they are legal size. In addition, the video includes a segment on restoration that is likely to make you think of terrestrial farming.

Here is the 5m 13s video.