Episode 2: Jesse Honiker, Hama Hama Oyster Company

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Take a Deep Dive into Oyster nurseries and husbandry: Techniques, Genetics, and Personal Journeys

This 'OYSTER-ology' episode features an engaging conversation with Jesse Honiker of Hama Hama Oyster Company, a premier oyster farm in Washington's Hood Canal and Puget Sound. Jessie runs Hama Hama's Nursery of millions of baby oysters, raising them until big and strong enough to go out into the open water to grow into outstanding oysters for consumption. Our discussion provides an in-depth exploration of an oyster nursery and farming practices and innovations. Jesse discusses oyster husbandry using a floating upweller system (FLUPSY), highlighting the processes from nursery to bay, genetic advancements, and the importance of shell size and shape maintenance. The episode delves into the challenges and rewards of cultivating different strains of oysters, including the genetically resilient Miyagi and Midori oysters, and the historically significant Olympia oyster. Jesse shares her transition from crop farming to oyster farming, discussing sustainable food production, the intricacies of managing vast numbers of oysters, and the role of environmental factors in farming practices. Jesse, an expert with a background in both land and marine agriculture, shares experiences from the Hama Hama, shedding light on nursery management, developmental stages, and the physical demands of the job. The discussion also delves into the genetic development of oysters, exploring diploids and triploids, and the challenges posed by climate change. Personal anecdotes and insights into Jesse's diverse background and some of her more unusual experiences working at Hama Hama enrich the narrative, emphasizing the community's integral role in the ongoing sustainability of aquaculture and revealing the therapeutic benefits of farming, the journey from crop farming to oyster farming, and  teaching farming to incarcerated women. This episode offers a rich blend of technical knowledge, historical context, and personal experiences, highlighting Jesse's passion and dedication behind the critical baby oyster/nursery phase of sustainable oyster farming.

00:00 Introduction to Oyster Complexity

00:11 Meet Jesse Honaker: Oyster Expert

01:09 Oyster Nursery Management

02:14 Challenges and Adventures in Oyster Farming

03:01 Daily Operations at Hama Hama

05:35 Oyster Nursery Details

07:52 FLUPSY and Advanced Sorting Techniques

16:28 Oyster Growth and Seeding Methods

23:58 The Importance of Olympia Oysters

28:58 Unique Challenges with Olympia Oysters

31:54 Navigating the Tides and Safety

33:43 Cold Waters and Waders: Making Good Choices

34:24 Genetic Development of Oysters: Diploids and Triploids

40:21 Exploring DNA and RNA in Oyster Genetics

42:59 Challenges and Innovations in Oyster Farming

49:02 A Journey from Land Farming to Oyster Farming

58:57 Sustainable Protein Sources: Oysters and Beyond

01:01:51 The Emotional Connection to Oyster Farming

01:06:13 Concluding Thoughts and Future Prospects

Links:
Hama Hama Oyster Company 

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