Few things in Hunter Peterson’s life are more satisfying than shellfishing.
The Westport native began at any early age. “It’s so rewarding being outdoors, harvesting things with your own hands,” he says.
“You feel self-reliant, cooking what you caught for yourself and people you love.”
Those sound like the words of a weathered oldtimer. But Hunter is in his mid-20s. He graduated from Staples High School in 2017.
Since then he’s been a volunteer firefighter here, and in New Hampshire. He’s worked as a deckhand on fishing boats, and in oyster farms.
Hunter Peterson
All along, he fished and crabbed.
Now Hunter has taken his passion to a new level. Last year he began meeting groups at Compo Beach, Canal Beach and the Saugatuck River. He shows them how to stand on shore or wade into the water, and harvest oysters, clams and blue crabs.
Wielding rakes for quahogs, traps for blue crabs and bare hands for picking oysters off rocks, he passes on his knowledge and excitement.
One of Hunter Peterson’s crabs …
His eager students are all ages.
“It’s a great family activity — especially with blue crabs, which you can catch completely from shore,” Hunter notes. “You don’t need to go into chest-deep water, with waders.”
Some people in his groups have fished for a long time. Others never did, but are intrigued by the time-honored New England activity.
There is an even mix between males and females.
… and a clam.
Hunter’s shell-fishing interest has taken him beyond the water. Last month he joined Westport’s Shellfish Commission. Members monitor water quality, look out for the town’s natural shellfish beds, and protect our important resources.
This year, he has a booth at the Westport Winter Farmers’ market. In addition to selling shellfish, he enjoys educating people about the bounty.
Hunter Peterson’s booth, at the Indoor Westport Farmers’ Market.
Hunter’s future plans include possible raw bar catering, and spring trout fishing trips on the Aspetuck River.
Meanwhile, he hopes to start a shellfish farm. He is taking a state course, while exploring a 10-acre lease in Long Island Sound
(For more information, text Hunter Peterson at 203-803-5006, or follow him on Instagram: @saugatuck_oyster_company)
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Relaxing, after a successful day.