Tide to Table: Family-run N.S. oyster farm emphasizes sustainability
An oyster farm in southwestern Nova Scotia is on a mission to make sure their consumers know exactly where the food they enjoy is coming from.
Nolan D’Eon is better known as ‘the oysterman’ around southwestern Nova Scotia.
“It’s great. I’ve even got a number plate that says ‘The Oysterman,” laughs D’Eon.
Since 1996, D’Eon Oyster Company has been challenging traditional methods of oyster farming with an innovative approach and an eye on shellfish sustainability.
After many years working at sea, D’Eon took a leap of faith and started his own oyster farming company 25 years ago.
“With the kids, we used to go swimming in Eel Lake. They would get cut by oysters, which was a bad thing then, and then I realized… I said to Kim, my wife, ‘someday, I’m going to make a living out of these’,” recalls D’Eon.
D’Eon’s first lease was about five acres of growing space, but over the past 25 years, that has grown to 50 acres of oyster farm in Lower Eel Brook, N.S.
Now, D’Eon Oyster Company ships natural grown oysters to countries around the world – and they truly are a family business.
Nolan’s youngest son Colton D’Eon is the company’s operations manager, and specializes in looking for innovative ways to make the oyster farm more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
“We’re ever changing. The science behind growing an oyster doesn’t change a lot, but how we as a company can make changes to become more sustainable.” says Colton D’Eon. “I find oyster farming itself is extremely sustainable, so our practice is on, how can we grow these, or what steps we are going to take moving forward. It’s something that really inspires me.”
Since 2019, every single oyster farmed by the D’Eon’s is processed in the company’s off-grid, solar powered processing barge.
Colton says it’s important for consumers to understand the story behind the food they’re eating.
“We love our customers to know that, number one, it’s our oysters are a quality top-shelf product, grown locally in Nova Scotia, and that they derive from a sustainable source,” explains D’Eon.
When it comes to the future of oyster farming in Lower Eel Brook, Colton is hopeful that his two sons will someday continue growing that their grandfather started.
“It’s sort of a legacy,” says Colton. “I followed in my father’s footsteps, and hopefully they will as well.”
“It took 25 years doing it, but it’s taken it’s time for people to realize that there is an oyster grown in southwest Nova Scotia, and it’s called a D’Eon oyster,” says Nolan.
A company built on family values, with a passion to share Nova Scotia’s oyster aquaculture with the world.
This story is part of CTV News at Five's Tides and Tables series. To see more visit tidesandtables.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.