Middle Sound Mariculture

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James Hargrove moved to North Carolina in 2009 to attend UNCW and began working at the Benthic Ecology Lab on campus. This lab is where his relationship with oysters spawned. Oysters live deep in the water in what is called the benthic zone.

Down there, they get to work providing many unseen benefits:

• Oysters eat algae and other marine gunk, cleaning up to 50 gallons of water per day
• Their reefs house a diverse collection of marine life including fish, crabs, and shrimp
• Pick up tons of flavor from local currents

For all of these reasons and a love for being waist-deep in water, helped James create Middle Sound Mariculture.

The New River Project

14 million oysters were dumped in the New River in June 2021. This was no accident. James and other scientists build these oyster reefs in hopes of creating a better ecosystem. The goal in New River is to create an oyster reef that can clean up to 700 million gallons of water a day.

James Hargrove takes part in these projects because oysters’ benefits go far beyond their taste. As an oyster farmer, he operates a completely sustainable farm.

This helps the community in two ways:

• First, it helps build a flourishing sea economy
• Second, it helps keep the natural beauty of Carolina intact

James calls this a “win-win” situation. He has always stressed quality over quantity and that shows in the marine culture he is building.

The Perfect Place for Oysters

With so many inlets and waterways around the North Carolina coast, there are plenty of opportunities for shellfish growers.

Middle Sound Mariculture operates out of the following three locations:

1. Stump Sound – the largest farm of the three, Stump Sound is the northernmost farm and produces the award-winning Tarheel Tiderunner, a buttery, smooth oyster
2. Topsail Sound – located just north of Wilmington and a stones throw south of Serenity Point, this farm produces a higher salinity and more mineral finish to the oysters
3. Masonboro Sound – these oysters contain the highest salinity of the three, bringing back the most ocean flavor

Each farm requires a little different approach. Luckily, James Hargrove has plenty of ways to farm oysters. There’s the adjustable line method that allows shellfish farmers to adjust the depth of the oysters, farming in shallower waters, or preparing for coastal storms. They also use floating cage and bottom trey methods, which allow oysters to be grown in trays or cages, and are more resistant to losing oysters.

This is why their oysters have such distinct tastes, and why you should come and try them all!

The Complete Oyster Experience

Oyster flavor is influenced by tidal creeks, freshwater, and the ecosystem around them. It is the natural environment that helps Middle Sound Mariculture produce some of the finest oysters in the entire country. It is no wonder the area has been dubbed the Napa Valley of Oysters. Much like a wine tour in Napa Valley, the region around Wilmington has its own oyster tour.

If you don't have all day to spend chasing oysters, you still have plenty of ways to experience the maritime culture. The Outer Banks Seafood Festival happens every fall and includes:

• live music
• cooking demos and competitions
• contest for best local dish
• boat displays of local fishing vessels
• hand made art, jewelry, woodworking, and much more

Of course, you can always ask the locals where to go too. There are many popular restaurants and pubs that feature James Hargrove's oysters. A few of them include:

• Wrightsville Beach Brewery
  This is a great family spot out near the coast. They provide great service and a huge outdoor space, "the best courtyard under live oaks," that lets visitors take in the southern beauty. Most importantly, as one guest points out, "my glass was never empty."
  
• Pinpoint
  Another superb place to eat and immerse yourself in the maritime culture of Wilmington. Pinpoint is a place to "go eat and be happy." They feature local seafood and "everyone is ordering the catch of the day." As for the oysters - "fanatical."
  
• Tidwater Oyster Bar
  In the northern end of Wilmington, you can find yet another local gem where "the oysters are always fresh." This place proves you don't need a fancy restaurant for a five-star experience. The "divey" atmosphere puts visitors and locals alike straight into the blue-collar culture of life on the sea.

An Oyster Farmer and the Sea

James Hargrove is just a man in the water, doing what he loves and sharing that experience with the world. He created Middle Sound Mariculture to spread the natural gifts of the Carolina Coast, and his mission is far from over. He has done everything from restoring the natural habitat to producing the country’s finest oysters, and just about everything in between.

Step into a local bar or eatery and ask about James’ famous Tarheel Tiderunner and experience it for yourself, the taste of North Carolina. It will be a taste you won't soon forget.

Author: ENC Explorer

After getting accepted to ECU, I started looking for things to do in and around Greenville, NC. However, my searches kept taking me to places in South Carolina! There must be things to do around ECU, so I started asking other students. They kept telling me to graduate and move away! This inspired me to begin exploring eastern North Carolina and build this website as a showcase of the places to go, sights to see, and things to do all over eastern NC. I have fallen in love with this region and started taking up roots here. After graduating, I didn't move away - I bought a house here and continue to explore eastern North Carolina.