Shellfish Aquaculture in the Salish Sea

Mr. Dewey will present on shellfish aquaculture in the Salish Sea, with a focus on Samish Bay, where Taylor Shellfish Farms grows oysters, manila clams and geoduck as well as his personal manila and geoduck clam farm (Chuckanut Shellfish). The talk will include descriptions of the methods used to produce seed (juvenile shellfish) for the farms at the hatcheries and nurseries, various farming methods and efforts to mechanize the labor intensive processes. Mr. Dewey will also discuss challenges shellfish farmers face including ocean acidification and climate change, invasive European green crab, water quality, Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs), vibrio bacteria and regulations. 

About the Speaker

Bill Dewey in a collared jacket, the ocean and shoreline in the background..
Bill Dewey
Director of Public Affairs - Taylor Shellfish Farms

Bill Dewey has worked as a shellfish farmer in Washington State since 1981 after obtaining his degree in shellfish biology from the University of Washington. He is Director of Public Affairs for Taylor Shellfish Farms, the largest producer of farmed shellfish in the United States and he has owned and operated his own shellfish farm in Samish Bay for 25 years.

Mr. Dewey works on environmental, human health, aquaculture and regulatory policy issues at the local, state and federal levels. He serves on local and national boards and committees including the National Aquaculture Association and the Pacific Shellfish Institute and currently serves on the Washington Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) advising on Washington state’s response to ocean acidification. He was recognized by the National Shellfisheries Association and NOAA for his service in promoting research, understanding and cooperation among shellfisheries scientists, culturists, managers, producers and regulators and implementing policies that protect marine resources.

Environmental Speaker Series

The Environmental Speaker Series is hosted by the College of the Environment at Western Washington University.

The Series is free and open to the public. Talks are held each Thursday at 4:30 pm in Academic Instructional Center West room 204 - AW-204. Talks will also be streamed via Zoom. Register with The Foundation for WWU & Alumni for the zoom link. Parking is available in lot C.

Learn more about the Environmental Speaker Series

Email Alumni@wwu.edu to be added to a mailing list to hear about upcoming events.