Dave Paling, owner operator of Crooked River Shellfish Farm. Photo courtesy: Dave Paling
When restaurants closed due to coronavirus restrictions, Wareham’s seven oyster growers found themselves along with so many others in a precarious position. Oyster sales decreased sharply, leaving growers with an abundance of oysters in a time of limited demand.
Wareham shellfish grower Dave Paling owns Crooked River Shellfish Farm. He said his farm, which is considered small by industry standards, would typically sell 1,000 to 2,000 oysters each week before the pandemic.
When the pandemic hit, sales fell. Paling said he lost roughly 75 to 80 percent of revenue in 2020, compared to 2019 numbers.