Starbird Mariculture, located on Tomales Bay in Northern California, was founded by marine biologist and former international guide Chris Starbird, in 2007.

 

Starbird Mariculture cultivates specialty Hatsu oysters by hand—from seed to harvest to

table—utilizing sustainable, environmentally 

conscientious and innovative aquaculture techniques and practices.

 

Hatsu means "first" in Japanese. This refers to the unique, proprietary practices of suspension and tumbling utilized by Starbird Mariculture—the first oyster farm to do so in California.

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Starbird Mariculture uses a mechanical upwelling system to begin the process of bringing oysters to market. The upwelling machines are stocked with millions of baby oysters which are later transferred into suspension.