Rhode Island

Harvesting Oysters in Rhode Island | Photographs

Join photographer Julie Bidwell as she spends a cold winter day harvesting oysters with Perry Raso of Matunuck Oysters in Rhode Island.

By Yankee Magazine|Dec 09 2016| Print icon

harvesting oysters

Holding freshly farmed oysters.

Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Photographer Julie Bidwell spent a cold winter day harvesting oysters with Perry Raso of Matunuck Oysters in Rhode Island for the 2012 Yankee Magazine feature, Homegrown | Matunuck Oysters (including a recipe for Oysters Rockefeller). Perry practices and promotes sustainable aquaculture and brings the freshest shellfish to his thriving restaurant in East Matunuck including his signature Matunuck Oysters harvested right off the restaurant’s waterfront patio in Potter Pond. Here’s a look at Julie’s day harvesting oysters – in photographs, of course.
Perry Raso pulling an oyster bag from a cultivated bed.

Perry Raso pulling an oyster bag from a cultivated bed.

Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Perry Raso pulling an oyster bag from a cultivated bed.
Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Perry Raso heading out to the oyster beds.

Perry Raso heading out to the oyster beds.

Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Perry Raso heading out to the oyster beds.
Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Boat returning To the Matunuck Oysters dock.

Boat returning To the Matunuck Oysters dock.

Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Boat returning To the Matunuck Oysters dock.
Credit: Bidwell, Julie
On the way out to the oyster beds, the frozen shoreline is shrouded in fog.

On the way out to the oyster beds, the frozen shoreline is shrouded in fog.

Credit: Bidwell, Julie
On the way out to the oyster beds, the frozen shoreline is shrouded in fog.
Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Inlet to Potter Pond and the cultivated oysters beds.

Inlet to Potter Pond and the cultivated oysters beds.

Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Inlet to Potter Pond and the cultivated oysters beds.
Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Perry Raso holding oyster bag with mature oysters.

Perry Raso holding oyster bag with mature oysters.

Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Perry Raso holding oyster bag with mature oysters.
Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Holding freshly farmed oysters.

Holding freshly farmed oysters.

Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Holding freshly farmed oysters.
Credit: Bidwell, Julie
An abundant harvest of fresh oysters.

An abundant harvest of fresh oysters.

Credit: Bidwell, Julie
An abundant harvest of fresh oysters.
Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Perry Raso, seen here in the midst of an oyster harvest, supports the practice of sustainable aquaculture.

Perry Raso, seen here in the midst of an oyster harvest, supports the practice of sustainable aquaculture.

Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Perry Raso, seen here in the midst of an oyster harvest, supports the practice of sustainable aquaculture.
Credit: Bidwell, Julie
The crew takes a short break on the dock of Matunuck Oysters.

The crew takes a short break on the dock of Matunuck Oysters.

Credit: Bidwell, Julie
The crew takes a short break on the dock of Matunuck Oysters.
Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Freshly harvested oysters just off the boat on the way to the kitchen of Matunuck Oyster Bar.

Freshly harvested oysters just off the boat on the way to the kitchen of Matunuck Oyster Bar.

Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Freshly harvested oysters just off the boat on the way to the kitchen of Matunuck Oyster Bar.
Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Straight from the farm to the plate. Matunuck Oyster Bar overlooks the dock where the fresh harvest is unloaded.

Straight from the farm to the plate. Matunuck Oyster Bar overlooks the dock where the fresh harvest is unloaded.

Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Straight from the farm to the plate. Matunuck Oyster Bar overlooks the dock where the fresh harvest is unloaded.
Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Matunuck's signature oysters.

Matunuck’s signature oysters.

Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Matunuck’s signature oysters.
Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Freshly shucked oysters ready for eating from the raw bar at Matunuck Oyster Bar.

Freshly shucked oysters ready for eating from the raw bar at Matunuck Oyster Bar.

Credit: Bidwell, Julie
Freshly shucked oysters ready for eating from the raw bar at Matunuck Oyster Bar.
Credit: Bidwell, Julie
See more of Julie’s work juliebidwell.com Learn more about Perry and his restaurant: rhodyoysters.com This post was first published in 2011 and has been updated. 

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