Damon and his wife Madelyn have been farming oysters on the Damariscotta River since 2018. A labor of love they experimented for six seasons in growing techniques to produce the best possible oyster to share with you. Grown under the name BOOTHBAY OYSTER COMPANY, LLC. (d/b/a Fiddle Head Oyster Company) they started selling in 2024. Oysters are grown from juvenile seed and planted on the flats of Pleasant Cove. While this method is more labor intensive and takes longer for growth, it reduces unsightly floating gear and raises oysters in a more sustainable and natural method. The resulting taste of these oysters continues the fine reputation of the Damariscotta River as the “Napa Valley of Oysters.” Damon also forages for wild oysters.
Currently harvesting a market select 2.5-4.5″ bottom grown oyster marketed as “Fiddler’s”
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT:
(please call ahead) SIMMONS SEAFOOD, Damariscotta, ME (207) 563-8800
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT:
(please call ahead)
SIMMONS SEAFOOD, Damariscotta, ME (207) 563-8800
Please visit our facebook page for more information!
80% of Maine’s oysters come from the Damariscotta River estuary. Pleasant Cove is between Damariscotta/Newcastle and Boothbay Harbour/South Bristol, and opposite the Darling Marine Center (UMaine). In the 1970s biologists seeded the river for European Flats/”Belons” and there are still populations that thrive…if you can find them. Our dog Noodles sometimes helps.
For more information you can send a message here on the website or you can send email to his first name at pleasantcove dot me
Further reading:
Oyster Land, Down East Magazine
Oysterator, Damariscotta region: “the ultimate destination for oyster lovers”
History of Oysters in Maine (1600-1970s), University Maine
Whaleback Shellfish Midden, Damariscotta, Bureau of Parks and Land
