For Max Cloutier, co-owner of Seashore Oyster Company, growing oysters is about more than seafood — it’s about sustaining the entire coastal food chain. Founded in 2022 as a family clam business and expanding to harvesting oysters in 2023, Seashore Oyster Company now supplies fresh, local oysters to restaurants and residents across the Crystal Coast.
Tourism plays a vital role in keeping the business thriving. Summer visitors fuel restaurant demand, which keeps Max and his team busy supplying oysters during the peak season. Meanwhile, loyal locals support the business in the off-season, creating the balance that allows Seashore Oyster Company to operate year-round.
Beyond business, oyster farming provides a valuable environmental benefit. Oysters naturally filter water, supporting cleaner waterways and a healthier ecosystem — while also bringing revenue back into the community through local restaurants and seafood sales.
As Max explains, “Without visitors, it would just be a slow, steady pace. Tourism keeps our business going and allows us to provide fresh, local oysters all year long.”