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At Rodney's we procure
our Oysters from both schools of growers; those who use traditional methods
and those who use newer techniques. The old school defines itself with
a romantic conviction that nature is the provider while the new school
seeks to control nature's variables to minimize the risks in harvesting
the Oyster. We respect both schools, but source only from those who appreciate
the quality and beauty of a truly fine Oyster.
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 As
the Oyster world evolves from fishing to farming there exists a
bridge between the traditional fisherman and the large volume demands
of the modern market. Rodney’s would like to introduce Kenny
McWilliam’s Seafood. Pictured on the left is Kenny, husband
to Mary and a buyer/reseller of the output of independent harvesters
since 1980.
Mr. McWilliam
attended the University of Prince Edward Island, following which
his biology interest took him to the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans. It wasn’t long before he saw opportunity in the PEI
Oyster. Today, Kenny’s relationship with the hands that work
the water, insure Canadian distributors quality Oysters, clams,
and other assorted shellfish. Kenny is unique amongst the Island
repackers, selling 95+% of his product to the Canadian market. Bravo
to Kenny for keeping the shellfishers on PEI aligned with Canadian
interests!
Kenny brings
to the market a capacity for satisfying the full range of demand
for Oysters, providing large quantities for our wholesale group
or truely exceptional Oysters for epicurean tastes. Kenny's operation
is seasonal and the lights go dark in January or February. As spring
breaks, Fort Augustus springs into full action. His brand, the “Hillsborough”
(Malpeques), are a well known favorite.
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 Midway
along the coast of Main, just beyond Bath, heading North on Route 1, you
will cross the Damariscotta River at Newcastle. Turn off at the town and
head out to the ocean. About halfway you could run into Dick Clime. He
might be on his way down to the hatchery or perhaps he's bringing a truck
load of nursery seed from a salt water pond to place in the baskets he
floats on his lease.
 Dick
has done more university time than most doctors with his adventures in
marine biology and aqua farming of Oysters. He's a pioneer of modern farming.
His "Pemaquid" Oyster is marketed as a Cocktail, Select, and
Jumbo.
He begins
his work in the hatchery, spawning out spat that is collected and nursery-raised
before being floated in baskets above the leased ground. Once they reach
a specified size, the young Oysters are then placed on the bottom to grow-out
before being drag harvested. From there they are carefully packed and
shipped directly to the point where they are served.
Dick's
new age farming is in all of our futures. His respect for the Oyster is
demonstrated through strong commitment to a consistent harvest of a quality
product. Those who enter onto today's aqua-culture scene are beneficiaries
of the years that Dick has put into the development of the craft.
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