Decision in Oakland Bay oyster bag farm appeal

Taylor Shellfish’s proposed floating oyster bag farm in Oakland Bay is closer to operation after the Shorelines Hearings Board ruled on an appeal that aquaculture development is a preferred use and the company adequately addressed possible environmental impacts.

Friends of Oakland Bay and Taylor Shellfish both appealed Mason County’s decision last year to approve the farm.

Friends claimed the farm is inconsistent with public access policies, doesn’t comply with views and aesthetics policies and said the county examiner failed to impose reasonable conditions on the project and gave too much wei...