J.P.’s Shellfish was built on (and continues to grow upon) a simple, timeless, and sound principle. Align yourself with only the finest professionals in your industry. The cornerstone of our operation is our alignment with reputable fisheries and the honest folks who run them. Over the years, John Price has worked tirelessly in an effort to partner with only the finest in the industry. Please click below to learn a bit more about one of our trusted purveyors.
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Shore to Door Delivery
We will work with you directly to evaluate and address your individual shipping needs; and then implement a custom tailored program that will complement your existing schedule of pick-up and delivery.
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Stonington Select Oysters
The Stonington Select oyster (Crassostrea virginica)is one of our more meticulously maintained varieties. Every step of the grow-out process is closely monitored, and appropriate action is taken as necessary. The grow-out process begins in an upweller located in the Thames (No…We’re not in England, and Thames rhymes with James) River, Connecticut (N 41:21:60/W 72:05:50). The upweller is (in this case) a 74 x 30 foot barge, which serves as a floating nursery for the tiny oysters. Nuts and bolts of it, an upweller provides seed stock protection from predators and the elements, while simultaneously pumping cold, phytoplankton rich waters from the depths to the surface and over the hungry little oysters. Often, an upweller doubles as floats and or fingers on piers at marinas. In fact, you may have stood on one and never even known it.
After the oysters have grown to a size that is a little more manageable, they are transferred to mid-water trays. Not only does the mid water culture keep the oysters moored right in the water column, providing them with a constant flow of nutrients (not unlike the upwellers), it keeps the oysters off of the bottom of the inlet. The result is an oyster that is virtually free of any and all mud sand and grit, both inside and out. Yet another interesting aspect of this oyster is the fact that every three to four weeks the trays are brought to the surface, emptied, and the oysters are run through a tumbler. This tumbling process quickly, cleanly, and effectively chips (manicures) the oyster’s new growth, creating a deeply cupped select of incredibly consistent size (three and a half to four inches) and definition.
This process is repeated until the oysters have reached the desired size, and then they are put into ADPI bags, caged, and brought outside the Stonington Breakwater for their finishing. Finishing? Are we talking about debutantes or oysters here? At any rate…The finishing process occurs right where Fishers Island Sound and the open ocean meet. Essentially, the tidal wash of the Atlantic gives these already clean (remember the mid-water suspension culture?) oysters a final wash and a boost in the salinity department. This depuration process goes on for a minimum of 21 days, and when the oysters are removed from the bags, they are of a consistent (three and a half to four or so inches) size, shape, and free of any biofouling. Now for the kicker…The Stonington Selects will be available year round. I would encourage you to stress this point to your clientele.
Please email info@jpshellfish.com or call 207-439-6018 for more information on this and or any other J.P.'s Shellfish product or service.
