Image Credit: Carlsbad Aquafarm
(North County Beat) – A historic oyster farm in Carlsbad, California, is set to close permanently by the end of August after operating for over seven decades. The farm, known as Carlsbad Aquafarm, will shut down after NRG Energy, the owner of the property, decided to discontinue its license, citing a “changing landscape” that no longer supports its operations.
Ann Duhon, a senior manager at NRG Energy, explained that Carlsbad Aquafarm had been allowed to use 5 acres of land in the outer Agua Hedionda Lagoon and along the south shore near the now-retired Encina power plant. The Encina plant, a natural gas and oil-fueled electricity facility, was decommissioned in December 2018. Since then, the area has seen significant changes, including the removal of the plant, the temporary housing of Fire Station No. 7, and the upcoming installation of a new water intake structure at the Carlsbad Desalination Plant.
Due to these developments, NRG Energy decided it was no longer feasible to allow the oyster farm to continue using the property. The farm, which has been a fixture in the Carlsbad community for over half a century, has played a role in aquaculture research, coastal preservation, and offering oyster tours with tasting experiences.
In July, Carlsbad Aquafarm began auctioning off its items online in preparation for its closure. Duhon emphasized that NRG Energy had given the farm ample time to vacate the premises, stating, “As part of this changing landscape, Cabrillo Power I LLC provided the requisite notice that it is discontinuing Carlsbad Aquafarm’s license to use the property and has allowed ample time for the farm to remove its facilities and vacate the premises.” She added that future development plans for the former Encina power plant site would be guided by the city’s general plan, with community engagement playing a key role.
Some residents have speculated that the closure may be linked to a norovirus scare earlier this year. In January, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency connected 41 cases of norovirus to imported raw oysters from Northwest Mexico, which were served at The Fish Shop restaurants and Carlsbad Aquafarm. The farm stopped public tours in May due to the outbreak. However, Thomas Grimm, CEO of Carlsbad Aquafarm, denied any connection between the outbreak and the farm’s closure. According to Grimm, the farm imported oysters from Mexico during a “Christmas rush” when their usual supplier from Washington state was unable to meet demand. He emphasized that the closure was due to economic reasons, not the norovirus incident.
“The farm itself is pretty small. It’s only five and a half acres, and a commercial farm needs to be much, much bigger to make good economic sense. So, this was more of a labor of love than it was an economic one,” Grimm explained.
Grimm highlighted the farm’s conservation efforts, which included filling biodegradable bags with oyster shells and placing them in coastal areas with erosion problems. These efforts have contributed to the protection of the shoreline, water quality, and biodiversity in the lagoon. Although the farm will cease operations at its current location, Grimm plans to continue its mission of conservation from his home office, shifting focus away from commercial oyster sales.
Carlsbad Aquafarm began as an aquaculture research facility in the 1960s after a study by San Diego State University identified the site as ideal for shellfish cultivation. The farm transitioned to a commercial business in the 1980s and later became known as Carlsbad Aquafarm, expanding its operations to include tours and tastings in 2021.