Luxe California oyster farm announces voluntary withdrawal after sewage leak

Oh, poop.

One of California’s most well-known oyster farms finds itself in a somewhat stinky situation after a sewage leak from a nearby tourist business.

Hog Island Oyster Co. in Marshall announced a voluntary withdraw of 200,000 oysters and temporarily halted farming operations in Marin County’s Tomales Bay after the contamination was discovered.

The smelly spillage reportedly occurred Oct. 9 at the ritzy Olema House hotel in neighboring Point Reyes, where guests can pay around $400 a night for a room.

A fault in the septic drainage system at the property’s Due West Tavern is said to have sent sewage into the nearby Olema Creek, which drains into Tomales Bay, the county said.

In response to the leak, the California Department of Public Health temporarily closed shellfish growing areas and closed wet storage intakes throughout Tomales Bay.

Hog Island said they were going a step farther and ordering the withdrawal out of “an abundance of caution.”

In a press release, the company said they do not believe the leak posed any food safety threats, and no illnesses were reported.

The county said the leak was immediately plugged, but that repairs were still ongoing.

“Although the sewage release was stopped on 10/9, Marin County Environmental Health Services (EHS) is working with the property owner and contractor regarding repairs to the septic (sewage) system,” Greg Pirie, the deputy director of EHS, told SFGATE. “The system will not be operational until the repairs are completed.”  

In addition to farming oysters, Hog Island also operates several upscale restaurants and bars in Marin County and the wider Bay Area. The company also offers farm tours in Marshall, and sells oysters and fish on their website.

Olema House general manager Fran Caiazzo told SFGATE that that the spill was caused by a cracked storm drain and that the county was currently testing the water near the hotel.

He further said that the hotel’s operations were not impacted and that they were working closely with Environmental Health Services. 

Hog Island wasn’t the only business affected by the leak.

Nick’s Cove, a picturesque hotel and restaurant along Tomales Bay, says they will not serve oysters farmed in the bay until CDPH says its safe to, general manager Wade Nakamine told SFGATE.

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