shellfish farming since time immemorial

Treasures of the Sound: Salish Seafoods' Sustainable Shellfish

The Squaxin Island people have deep traditions in the harvesting of food from the Salish Sea, an inland sea encompassing Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, British Columbia, and the State of Washington. Salish Seafoods, a wholesale shellfish company, working in conjunction with the Natural Resources Department, works to ensure that current and future generations will be able to continue this practice.

Squaxin Island Tribe: People of the Water

The Squaxin Island Tribe purchased Harstine Oyster Company in the 1970’s, changing the name to Salish Seafoods in 2005 to reflect their traditions and to create opportunities for tribal members to work the tidelands and create a sustainable business.

The Squaxin Island Tribe is known as "The People Of The Water". Past generations lived and worked on Squaxin Island northwest of Olympia producing shellfish to live off what they could produce from the land. This traditional way of shellfish harvesting has been passed down from generation to generation and has now become a part of the shellfish industry in Washington today.

Freshly harvested clams are bagged and waiting for transport

The Squaxin Island Tribe has its own Natural Resources Department including biologists who monitor all resources. This ensures farming practices follow recommendations and that all species are protected without creating environmental impacts that may damage them. They also work to make sure species that have been impacted by climate change will be restored to their natural form.

Salish Seafoods works together with the Squaxin Island Tribe, making sure product is readily available each year but not overharvested. Harvesting occurs year-round and surveys are done annually. The seeding of these species is done at certain times of the year to sustain those numbers and to work towards increasing the crops to produce the maximum amounts possible in a sustainable manner.

A shellfish farmer from Salish Seafoods holds out freshly dug clams

Tribes are known for their culture and every culture has their own connection to a food source. Squaxin People have looked to salmon and shellfish as their main food sources and you’ll find them at all Squaxin Island Tribal events.

A Squaxin Island woman harvests clams on the beach of Harstine Island in South Puget Sound

Where to Find Salish Seafood Products

While the majority of Salish Seafood distribution is wholesale, they do supply Little Creek Casino in Shelton along with Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn if you’re up to rolling the dice. If you’re looking for product to take home, head to the Steamboat Trading Post at Steamboat Island just north of Olympia or stop at the Kamilche Trading Post at Little Creek Casino in Shelton. Visitors to Lacey can find Salish Seafood products at Gibson Custom Meats.

If you really want to get serious about your shellfish consumption, they do retail sales from the facility on Harstine Island for pick-up, but that requires a 24-hour notice prior to pick-up, Monday through Friday.

92 E Chapman Rd, Shelton, WA 98584
(360) 426-4933

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