When it comes to local companies that have survived for over a century, they usually deserve to be celebrated. To many locals, they’ve likely become a Marin tradition.
The California Coastal Commission’s approval of a permit for the Tomales Bay Oyster Co. to continue its cultivation and harvesting of oysters and mussels in the bay is indeed worth celebrating.
Given the formerly long standing Drakes Bay Oyster Farm’s high-profile run-in with the commission, many might worry about the state agency’s handling of other local aquaculture businesses.
The Tomales Bay Oyster Co. easily predates the commission and its past owners had never sought a commission permit, although the commission has long sought its compliance. But the latest family owner, Heidi Gregory, has been carrying out work started by her father, replacing the company’s obsolete equipment to bring its operations up to standards set by regulatory agencies.
The commission’s unanimous vote to issue the company a permit ends a yearslong effort to bring the business into compliance. The permit comes with reasonable conditions, such as removal of a floating barge and abandoned cultivation equipment.
It also includes an after-the-fact approval of the business’ cleanup of 628 cubic yards of marine debris.
The commission is also requiring the business to establish vessel routes to protect eelgrass areas and to avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
Among the environmental groups that supported the business’ application was the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin.
The permit process took years, which alone might be an understandable reason for longstanding businesses to try to shy away from modernizing their approvals.
The commission and other regulatory agencies need to work at reducing the time and costs involved, particularly when dealing with a smaller business or family ranch.
But Tomales Bay Oyster Co.’s owner said its initiative is part of the family business’ mission “to be good stewards of the bay.
“That’s important to us and to keep this beautiful place that we live in as pristine as we can,” she said.
Setting an environmental standard for aquaculture certainly is a way to accomplish that mission. It is, of course, a recognition that protection of the environment amounts to protection of their livelihood.
In fact, the commission itself has been interested in the environmental benefits of enhancing California’s oyster population and last year gave its approval to establishing reefs of native oyster patches in order to protect and enhance San Diego Bay shoreline and its habitat.
Last year, the California Ocean Protection Council’s Strategic Plan to Protect California’s Coast and Ocean published its guidelines for sustainable aquaculture in the state’s marine waters.
Just a decade ago, Drakes Bay Oyster Co.’s argument that its popular commercial operation was good for the environment ran afoul the commission’s findings and regulatory process, leading to a legal fight and ultimately the National Park Service’s refusal to renew its long-term lease.
In the oyster farm’s wake, the park has spent millions on restoring the estero.
But for Tomales Bay Oyster Co., the process has had a mutually beneficial outcome, meeting the goals of both the legacy business and the commission. The commission’s approval respects the fact that the business is part of the fabric of West Marin.
Aquaculture is an important part of Marin’s agricultural sector and local businesses and local, state and federal agencies should be working together to do their part to keep those operations and the environment healthy and productive.
