types of oysters in washington statetypes of oysters in washington state

If the illness lasts more than a few days and becomes severe, see a local healthcare provider. And how about Long Island Sound? Oysters from Apalachicola to Zen Apalachicola Bagaduce Bald Point Barnstable Barron Point Basket Island Baynes Sound Baywater Sweet Beach Angel Beach Point Beavertail Beausoleil Bedeque Bay Belon (Maine) Belon (France) Big Rock Black Pearl Blackberry Point Blue Point (Great South Bay) Bluepoint (Long Island Sound) Blue Pool Bluffton 2023 | Mason County, WashingtonPrivacy Policy | Accessibility | Covid Policy, Hundreds of varieties yet only five species | Oysters explained. What do Olympias taste like? This is a very popular beach for geoducks, which may be found in the low intertidal zone below minus two feet. Oysters grown in the intertidal area are exposed to daily tidal inundation will have well developed adductor muscles and thicker shells thus being heartier for shipment. So you like Oysters? The water is typically a bit rougher than Willapa Bay, but there are still plenty of areas where the oysters can thrive. When it comes to eating oysters, their staunchest of fans will only consume them raw and would never add even a tiny dab of cocktail sauce before they slurp. In 2019, U.S. aquaculturists produced an estimated 42 million pounds of the sustainable bivalve worth $221 million. You can still find paths covered with broken oyster shells in Colonial Williamsburg. Oysters must be shucked on the beach. Species marked AIS are aquatic invasive species. Many household cleaners don't kill norovirus. Oysters are typically grown in intertidal areas, where they are exposed to the tidal flow of water. In the same corrosive ocean water, a hatchery in Oregon was regularly sucking larvae from oyster seed purchased from a family. Removing oyster shells from beaches containing Japanese oyster drills (an oyster predator) may result in the inadvertent spread of these predators. They are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health. Try to limit contact with other household members. Washington is home to many oyster beds, which are a vital part of the states economy. Thus, removing a legal limit of 18 oysters may actually remove three to five times that number of oysters - young oysters which would otherwise remain on the beach and grow to edible size. May 3, 2021 Washington Oysters - A Guide to the World's Best Oysters Washington Oysters are Pacific Oysters farmed on the best oyster grounds in the world. Oyster cellars were all over the country, even inland places like Kansas City, says Travis Croxton, co-owner of Virginia-based Rappahannock Oyster Co. They were the Starbucks of their day.. Kumamotos take a lot longer to grow, three years as opposed to just two, and are significantly smaller. Related to the European Flats, these have a pronounced mineral flavor but in a smaller package. Oysters have been a popular seafood for coastal communities for a long time. And they play well with other summertime staples, whether thats just a bucket of crisp lagers sipped with a few friends, or as a prelude while the burgers or ribs are finishing up at your next barbecue. Sunday, 10 pm: The Hama Hama crew cleans, sorts . Shellfish are filter feeders, which means they filter seawater through their bodies to get food floating in the water. Find the nearest bathroom and use it before you go out to the beach. There's briny, there's mineral, there's bland, etc, but there has never been sweet. 1. The prized cup of the Kumamoto and its limited supply has growers working with Pacifics to meet half shell demands. Eating undercooked shellfish can cause a bacterial infection called vibriosis. Just like the well attuned vintners of the Rhone Valley, oyster connoisseurs are able to detect the subtleties of each bay by tasting the meat and observing the shell. Accepted alternative taxonomic name: Monofilament recovery and recycling program. For illustrated details on two popular shucking methods, visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish. Japanese oyster, Miyagi oyster, Pacific cupped oyster, Miyagi oyster, Pacific cupped oyster Quick Facts Length Up to 10 inches Region Alaska, West Coast About the Species A cluster of bottom-cultured oysters grows in eelgrass in Willapa Bay, Washington. Can You Eat Oysters When You Have Pancreatitis? . All bivalve shellfish such as clams, geoducks, mussels, scallops, and oysters can transmit norovirus. It is harvested from Southeast Alaska to northern Baja California, with the most intense harvest activity in Washington and British Columbia. Also known as Gulf, Atlantic or American oysters, easterns are popularity prize winners at seafood bars on both U.S. coasts. Each bay has its own selection of phytoplankton yielding oysters with different meat colors and flavors. There are informational displays at the beach trail head. Willapa Bay and the nearby Puget Sound produce more than a quarter of the nation's oysters and generate about $35 million a year in product for the state of Washington. How many times has it happened? We partnered with Blue Point Brewing Company for doing what's just right and good when it's hot: Having a beer, slurping an oyster, and sticking feet in sand or ocean. It was 2017, and Teri King, an aquaculture specialist for Washington Sea Grant, a marine . Histiocystis caroliniana, a flat oyster, is currently only farmed in New South Wales. In addition to substrate type, location of the oysters on the beach will determine how long the oyster will take to achieve a marketable size. They have a bold flavor with a meaty, almost crunchy texture, and intense mineral bite with a long-lasting seaweed flavor and gamey finish. The tidal flip and roll chip off the fragile lips and force the oyster to curve. European Flat oysters are native to the western European coast, stretching all the way from Norway to Morocco and into the Mediterranean. The oyster shells are also used to protect the oysters from predators. A Pacific allowed to grow naturally on the beach will have a sturdy irregular shell with a great deal of frills. The greenhouse effect of fossil fuels has turned Willapa Bay on Washingtons coast into a lethally toxic sea, and young Pacific oysters have vanished. The classic flavor profile is sweet and funky. Puget Sound is another popular place to harvest oysters. Tumbled, beach grown, suspended, and everything in between. Hood Canal is a maze of protected inlets and shorelines that, by some accounts, produce the "quintessential Washington State oyster.". Oyster season OPEN for harvest year-round. It can be found throughout much of its historic (circa 1850) range in Puget Sound, but its overall abundance has decreased over the years. Many types of birds, marine mammals and other wildlife can be seen from the platform. But the most prized are an East Coast species being grown there called Totten virginicas. Following summertime cooking habits, save some room on the grill for your oysters. With a thick, deeply cupped an elongated shell (two to five inches across), this East Coast bivalve is both attractive and tasty. Tumbled, beach grown, suspended, and everything in between. They grow and reproduce quickly, reaching market size in about two years. Their appearance is similar, with deep cups and fluted, pointy shells. Oyster farming is a sustainable and environmentally-friendly way to produce food. Read all about Blue Point's Toasted Lager here. Olympia oyster (Ostrea lurida) Olympia oyster Category: Molluscs Common names: Oly Ecosystems : Marine shorelines Vulnerability to climate change ( More details) Low Low- Moderate Moderate Moderate- High High If you see this species, please share your observation using the WDFW wildlife reporting form. It was introduced to the Northwest in the 1950s. There are not many farmers cultivating Flats. Dosewallips State Park South is CLOSED year-round, south of the line defined by boundary markers on the beach. Everyone around the Bay eats them, along with soft shelled crabs. The Pacific oyster is a hearty species that thrives in Washington waters and now constitutes 99% of the total West Coast oyster production. Oysters suspended in the water column for growing will have the benefit of a constant food source and thus grow quickly but will have delicate shells and be susceptible to the elements. Pacific oysters grown in Willapa Bay have a different merrior from those grown in Samish Bay. 4: species of oysters grown: Pacific, Kumamoto, Virginica, and Olympia. (In the U.S., the North American-grown crop are named Belons anyway.). Olympia oysters, the only oyster indigenous to the West Coast of North America, were decimated in the early 20th century due to pollution and overharvesting. All of those factors have made Pacifics the most popular oyster around the world, grown all throughout the Pacific as well as Norway, France, Morocco, and Namibia. I don't know what they mean by "sweet" when they describe oysters. Blue Pool. Norwalk, Connecticut once had the world's largest fleet of oyster harvesters! Olympia OSTREA LURIDA /OSTREA CONCHAPHILA The native oyster to Washington State, the Olympia oyster is a half dollar size with a metallic finish. Aside from oyster production, native oysters play a critical role in the states ecological system. So can moon snails and other gastropods. Daily limit 18 oysters. Places to go Public clam, mussel, and oyster beaches Dosewallips State Park Dosewallips State Park Clam and mussel seasons OPEN for harvest July 15 through September 30, 2023 only. Here are the big five, so you know what exactly youre slurping. You will need a shellfish license, an oyster knife and gloves. Norovirus persists longer in colder marine water and we tend to see more shellfish-related norovirus illnesses in November through March. By Sara Ventiera Updated on November 12, 2022 Had McDonald's opened shop in the 1850s, it. You can literally park just steps from the beach and be digging in the sand in less than a minute. How do shellfish become contaminated with norovirus? The Olympia Oyster (Ostrea lurida) Native oyster to Washington state Generally smaller (size of a postage stamp) "Huge" coppery flavor Nearly disappeared, resurged in the 1980's The Kumamoto (Crassostrea sikamea) Arrived in Washington in 1947, as oyster farmers scrambled to re-establish Japanese sources after WWII Hood Canal oysters are claimed to be more briny than the sweeter cucumber flavored bivalves grown in Hammersley Inlet or South Puget Sound waterways. The oysters are exactly the same, just grown in different places.. Monthly Ratings These Pacifics have a compelling flavor that strikes an elegant balance between brininess and sweetness. Productive digging is also found around and among the oysters, an area often overlooked by harvesters. You need to get ready for the mid atlantic states to come a lookin for you. Muddy ground can inhibit the oysters ability to circulate water and food into their bodies. Given how many different options are out there, it becomes a delicious on-going pursuit. Oysters can be found in both coastal and inland waters, though they prefer coastal waters. The native oyster to Washington State, the Olympia oyster is a half dollar size with a metallic finish. In warmer waters, they can reach market size in around 18 months and get up to eight inches long. Taylor Virginicas won a 2008 Rhode Island oyster competition for best flavor and second place overall. There's no vaccine and no medication to treat norovirus. Originally imported in the late 1940s to replace diminishing supplies of Pacifics, these treasures have been adopted by a handful of local growers. Some people can have an allergic reaction to shellfish. Their briny character is complemented by a light hint of sweetness. Oyster farms in Washington state typically use oyster shells to create reefs, which provide a habitat for the oysters and help them to filter feed. Oysters can be enjoyed cooked or raw, and are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Sara is also a senior cities editor at Thrillist focused on the United States South. It is the first week of July in the city, and the clam, mussel, and oyster seasons begin the following week. Tide-tumbled oysters, what some folks refer to as a reserve oyster due to the even deeper cup and more flavorful meat, are often given different monikers. No wonder theyre so popular. Urbanna VA has an oyster Festival that brings thousands of people to this little river city. Its possible that Hurricane Sandy and other natural disasters have played a role in this, but the industry overall has been difficult this year. Rappahannock brands their oysters according to the location where theyre grown, as is common for most Atlantic Oysters including well-known Wellfleets from Wellfleet Bay in Massachusetts, Malpeques from Malpeque Bay in Prince Edward Island, and Bluepoints from the Long Island Sound. Are your favorite oysters the best rated yet? Seafood, and oysters in particular, are the cornerstone upon which our establishment is built. If you put it out in front of 10 people, eight would hate it and two would think it is the greatest thing they had in their life. I love all Food52's oyster articles, but I wish this one had been twice as meaty. There are actually more than 200 species of oysters spread throughout the world; however, just five are commercially harvested, grown, and sold in the United States. Clockwise from far left: European flat, Eastern, Kumamoto, Pacific, and Olympia. The European flat has a rounder shell than other species and is possibly the most popular among half-shell enthusiasts. Fresh oysters are plucked from the water and then shucked on the farm, giving them a distinct and delicious flavor. A fusion oyster, grown by Taylor Shellfish, TIVs have won many contests but supply is always extremely limited, due to the challenges of getting a virginica to thrive on the west coast. Don't vomit or poop off of your boat. The Wests only native oyster is the tiny Olympia oyster, rarely bigger than a half-dollar but packing a bold, mineral punch that devotees love. Medical Tests in Your 20s and 30s. There are oysters in Washington state, but the vast majority of them are non-native and can be found in waters that are not native to the state. Good hygiene and hand washing, especially after using the bathroom and when handling food, are important to help limit the spread of norovirus. There are just five species of oysters harvested in the U.S.; all other differences come from where they live, the water they filter, and how they're handled. Sign up to receive events, happenings & more. You scarfed three dozen Chefs Creeks last night in a deluge of martinis and this morning you cant for the life of you remember whether they were from Puget Sound or British Columbia, much less the name of the person you were eating them with. Clearly, Americans are getting back their hankering for oysters, just like much of the rest of the planet. They are all excellent neighbors who are working together to keep our saltwater bays and estuaries clean. This drawback is offset by the fact that Kumomotos are available in all seasons, even in summer when "Olys" and Pacifics are spawning, hence unsuitable for harvest. Washington's growers must rely on hatchery stock. Often times, suspended oysters are placed in the high energy intertidal environment for a few weeks prior to market to harden the shells for shipment and condition the oysters to hold their shells shut. The smooth, saucer-like species is often referred to as Belons, but technically they should only be called Belons when they are grown near the Belon River in Brittany, France. Your 60s and Up: Healthy Body, Sharp Mind. For more information about these environmentally and economically destructive species, visit the Aquatic invasive species page. Pacific oysters are oblong shaped with an irregular, wavy shell edge. Named for the Japanese prefecture where this stock was first cultivated, the Kumamoto is a molluscan morsel that has gained a strong following in the Northwest. Oysters are a major source of income for Franklin County in the Apalachicola Bay region. For all these reasons, the Pacific is one of the most intensively cultivated species in the world. Have you ever wondered how the same species of oyster can have such varied flavors or textures? Accepted alternative taxonomic name: Crassostrea gigas Category: Molluscs Ecosystems : Marine shorelines Monofilament recovery and recycling program. Crassostrea gigas Order oysters at any restaurant with a respectable supply and an unspoken confusion hangs in the air while your server raves about the charms of a Baywater Sweet or a Hama Hama or a Treasure Cove98 percent of the oysters grown in Washington are Pacifics. Their semi-firm meat tends to be very sweet, often melony, with more nuanced floral notes. Some say the actual number is higher. Chesapeake Bay oysters were eaten by the founders of America. Many public beaches already have these tiny predators, but the goal is to minimize the spread to other uninfected beaches. And it makes an excellent chowder. Its earthy and tastes like a car bumper in a good way.. There are five types of oysters in the U.S., and here's everything you need to know about them. But for those of us who are up for some variety, oysters are generous in their versatility. The Olympia oyster fishery ran from the mid-1800s until about 1915 supplying California's demand for oysters. Every Type of Clam You Can Buy in the U.S. Everything You Should Know About Tinned Seafood, 45 American Pinot Noirs We Love to Open on Special Occasions, 15 Best Bottles of Chardonnay Worth Splurging On, Where Does Black Pepper Come From? Quarterly Newsletter (Sample) . The species most prolific on the West Coast is the Pacific oyster which, exactly as for the Eastern oyster, will be given any number of different names depending on where the oyster grew: Totten Inlet, Pickering Passage, Netarts Bay. 1 cups of bleach per gallon of water for porous surfaces such as wooden floors. Because of the abundant waters of the Seattle area, the city has established a thriving oyster industry. Currently, the only oyster species capable of producing commercially in Western Australia are Milk Oysters, Scyphophilla, and Black-lip Oysters, Cucullata. Other symptoms may include fever, headache, and body aches. + It is our policy not to seat parties with children under 9 years of age unless our downstairs dining room is unoccupied. I had the good fortune of being a judge for an oyster-wine competition for a number of years, that passage read with a near solemnity before we had our first slurp and sip each year. Updated on September 27, 2022 Photo: Lisovskaya Natalia / Getty Images / Alloy Oysters are one of the world's most impenetrable delicacies (sometimes, literally) enigmatic and surrounded by. "It is best eaten uncooked on the half-shell or steamed, grilled, baked, poached, smoked or fried," says the Pike Place Public Market Seafood Cookbook. Learn about the farming methods, taste, and best culinary settings for each type. The Olde Salts, reared in the salty waters of Chincoteague Bay, off Virginias Eastern Shore, taste like being splashed in the face by a wave, full of brine with a clean, smooth finish. Tropical oysters can be grown on a limited scale in northern Queensland. Brought from Japans Kumamoto Prefecture, they are unable to reproduce in our cold waters so growers rely on hatchery stock. There are several varieties of oysters are on the market, from tiny and briny Kumamoto oysters to colossal Pacific oysters. A stellar oyster from the Gulf Coast, these have the classic briny character of the Eastern species with a bonus buttery rich flavor to the plump meats. Lunch Daily:11:30amDinner Daily:4 9pm. There is still some cultivation of the Olympia oyster, but with some encouragement, it could become a viable species again. No celebration of New York oysters? Theyre a workhorse, Ryan says. Theyre slow growers and not that meaty, says Ryan, who knows of fewer than a handful of West Coast growers working with the species. Day parking and access to the beach are reached by taking the first right after you cross the Dosewallips River. , and oyster hatcheries which work for all species. Oh my, I see that the sponsor of this article is from New York. So head to the beach and get shucking! Washington state is the only state in the country that allows for the private ownership of tidelands (other states hold them in trust), Can be very diverse in taste, size. Washington state is home to a number of oyster farms, which are located in the Puget Sound region. Nowhere else can you taste so many different flavors and styles of oysters. The season is usually only open for the month of May but in 2020 owing too Covid -19, Hope Island State Park will be open for clams, mussels, and oysters Aug. 1 - 31. The Kumamoto oyster is a delicate oyster that is often served raw with a variety of sauces. Sick children should stay home from school or childcare. (got cut off) grows them in the creek and serves them fresh out of the water. They come in various forms, sizes, and hues, as well as salt and fresh water. Most people recover in 1 to 3 days. Aside from being a popular oyster farm location, the Puget Sound and nearby Hood Canal are also known for their environmental practices. A Guide to Peppercorns and How to Use Them, 50 Seafood Recipes to Keep Your Rotation Fresh, Get Fresh Fish From These Superb Seafood Delivery Services, Everything You Need to Know About Different Types of Tea, The Difference Between Yams and Sweet Potatoes Is Structural Racism, Plan a Trip to This Lesser-Known Corner of Spain for World-Class Wine and Seafood. The classic flavor profile is sweet and funky. Naturalist William Cooper, who traversed the Washington Territory in the 1850s, found them to "possess the same peculiar coppery flavor remarked in the European mollusk when eaten for the first time.". North Bay - Abundant Manila clams and an enhanced oyster bed. They have a subtler, more refined flavor than Olympia oysters and their shells hold considerably more meat--a real plus for seafood connoisseurs. It was introduced to the Northwest in the 1950s. Growers use tumble bags to force the Pacific into a deeper cup. Please enter all or part of a beach name and/or choose a county from the dropdown menu to find a beach where you can harvest clams, mussels, and oysters. These round, flat oysters are sometimes sold as Belon, the name they carry in their native waters of northern France. Unlike the Olympia oyster, this species can't spawn in the comparatively colder waters of Puget Sound and the outer coast. Oysters are harvested for their meat, which is considered a delicacy by many. Oyster season OPEN for harvest year-round. Native oysters have been a part of Western Australias cultural heritage for thousands of years. Crab, because they feed on shellfish, can also become toxic. It thrives on reefs in water depths of between eight and 25 feet. You wont find them here. Washington Department of Health (DOH) cautions that clams, oysters and mussels from this section of the beach arenot fit for human consumption at any time(see Beach map below). 1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of water for non-porous surfaces such as tile floors, counter-tops, sinks, and toilets. To help you enjoy them, a few restaurants, markets, and convenience stores will offer Clams, Mussels, and Oysters. The method of growth can greatly change the shape of the oyster. Oysters, clams and geoducks live in the coasts, bays and estuaries that make up a significant portion of the 2.6 million acres of aquatic lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on behalf of the people of Washington. Adults may shuck a child's daily limit so long as the child participates in some way in the gathering. King of Gulf seafood. Of these, the Miyagi and Kumamoto have been most successful for Washington's oyster industry. Back at the plant, the oysters are stored in saltwater tanks. The beach access parking area is just north of the camp ground and the beach access trail head is located in the southeast corner of the parking area. Oysters are placed in the bag as small seed and the tide does the rest. Like all oysters, the flavor changes drastically depending on the water in which its grown and the time of year; however, Pacifics tend to taste mild, slightly sweet with fruit and vegetable notes, as well as a good amount of brine and, often, a bit of metal. Has our oyster-loving community gotten this right? Sometimes symptoms appear as early as 12 hours after exposure. Some people can be infected with norovirus and have no symptoms. Washington State aquaculturists, including Taylor Shellfish and Chelsea Farms, have been bringing them back, selling to restaurants and directly to customers on the web. Bays, in addition to being nutritious, are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for health. On the West Coast, Kumamotos are every beginner's favorite oyster, and Kusshis are reliably small, pretty, creamy, and mild. People who eat raw oysters or undercooked shellfish are at higher risk of a norovirus illness. (If youre lucky, the name of the person you were with last night is buried in here, too. You can find them in most major regions.. The meat of this oyster is sweet tasting and rich, with a mild cucumber aftertaste. The Rochambeaus, grown nearby in the brackish water where the York River meets the Chesapeake Bay, are a bit saltier, slightly less sweet, and cleaner on the palate. There are many isolated bays and inlets that are perfect for oyster growth. These bays and estuaries are known to connoisseurs. TIVs are the Eastern oyster grown in the bay considered to make the most flavorful Pacifics. 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water for stainless steel, food/mouth contact items, and toys. Oyster. A dozen twists of a knife were all it took to tarnish the unblemished reputation of Washington's oysters. This is especially true in places like southern Puget Sound where the natural setting surface - Olympia oyster shells - was eliminated years ago by overharvest. Lady's Island. 15 Best Oyster Recipes 01 of 05 Crassostrea Gigas-Pacific Oysters FocalHelicopter / Getty Images Pacific oysters are small and sweet and the world's most cultivated oyster. Empty your boat's sewage holding tank at a. Willapa Bay is a great place to harvest oysters because the water is relatively calm and there is a lot of seaweed. Formed 13,000 years ago, Hood Canal is technically a fjord, and it's teeming with oysters, shrimp, clams, crabs, seabirds, and every known species of Pacific salmon and trout. For centuries, these shellfish have comprised a significant portion of the Pacific Northwest diet and served as crucial components of ensuring The oysters were harvested from shallow bays of southern Puget Sound and Willapa Bay until pollution and over harvesting caused a collapse of the wild fishery. Oyster lovers appreciate the qualities that differentiate the shellfish grown in Hood Canal from those in North Puget Sound, South Puget Sound or Willapa Bay. The flat trail from the parking lot to the beach is suitable for access by wheelchair, although there are areas of sticky mud on the beach that may make traversing the beach challenging. Your 40s and 50s: Managing Health Changes. There are only two native oyster species available for commercial harvesting in Western Australia, and there is an urgent need for additional oyster production facilities to meet the states growing population needs. But farmers will occasionally use their own proprietary names for their crop, such as Morro Bay Oyster Companys Pacific Golds and Hog Island Oyster Companys Sweetwaters. They can be harvested for food or for their pearls. I've been scarfing down oysters since I was 3-4 years old and I have never tasted any sweetness in any of them. Oysters taken on public tidelands must be shucked on the beach and the shells left behind for the following conservation-based reasons according to the Washington Dept of Fish & Wildlife website, wdfw.wa.gov: Oyster shells provide the best growing substrate for juvenile oysters. Clams, mussels, and oysters are open two weeks earlier than usual this year, from July 15 to December 31. Kumamoto oysters, known as kumos to fans, are another West Coast species smaller than Pacifics. Several times the size of the easter oyster, the Pacific or Japanese oyster is the giant of Northwest shellfish beds. Leave shells on the same tideland and at the same tide height as where they were taken. The Kumamoto has a small deep cup and a sweet meat. Caution: Always check the local biotoxin status before harvesting via the biotoxin hotline (1-800-562-5632) or www.doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety. It's beachside or bust for us. Learn about oystersandcoastal restoration. They are chalky white or grey in color and areup to 12 inches long. A general rule of thumb with Atlantic oysters is the farther north theyre grown, the brinier the flavor. Kumamotos have a lot in common with Pacific oysters. Use a store-bought product from. Biotoxins and Shellfish-Related Illnesses. Oysters consumed on the beach count toward a limit. The moss-colored, flat-shelled oyster is now harvested wild in New England and is farmed both in Maine as well as Washington state to a much smaller extent. The result is a deep cup in its lower shell. There are SO very many outstanding oysters along our coasts, that's for sure. There is no one single flavor profile that all Eastern or Pacific oysters have. The decline of the Olympia oyster opened the door for the import of the Virginica from the east coast in the early 1900s. We're incredibly lucky to have so many options for seafood here in Washington. The Olympia oyster is a smaller oyster that is typically used for canning or pickling. With the arrival of European-American settlers to the Puget Sound area in the 1840s, a number of natural resource extraction industries emerged, including forestry, mining, fishing and canneries, and of course, oyster farming.