History of Fishers Island Oysters

Fishers Island Oyster Farm is a family-owned and managed suspension-culture oyster farm based on Fishers Island.

Steve and Sarah Malinowski moved to Fishers Island during the fall of 1978. Shortly after their move, Steve began studying Marine Ecology at University of the Connecticut, specifically the ecology of hard clams. Putting his knowledge to work, he proposed the idea of a clam farm, which was incorporated just a few years later, in 1981. Steve earned his PhD and taught others how to start their own clam farms through a volume titled Small-scale Farming of the Hard Clam on Long Island.

The Malinowskis passion for ecosystem restoration led them to grow seed scallops in pearl nets to replenish Peconic Bay’s scallop population. However, oyster seed was miraculously mixed in with the scallop seed that had been sourced, leading to the growth of oysters and the first oyster harvest in 1987. The Malinowskis turned their efforts towards oysters and began selling them to various restaurants, clubs, and inns such as Hudson River Club and Old Lyme Inn. They began their own hatchery 8 years later, in 1995.

Today, Fishers Island Oysters are available in seafood markets and various restaurants all over the East Coast. Local pickup orders for Fishers Island Oysters can be placed through HealthyPlanEat (order before Tuesdays at noon).

To learn more about Fishers Island Oyster Farm, please visit fishersislandoysters.com