Neal Maloney

Photo: Patrice Ward 2018

Owner, Morro Bay Oyster Company
Morro Bay, California -

After earning his degree in Marine Biology at the University of Oregon Neal began managing a production farm in Morro Bay, CA. All of the oysters he produced were shipped to Tomales Bay Oyster Company. Neal was able to gain ownership of the farm in 2008 and created Morro Bay Oyster Co

His unique farm is perfectly situated in the productive Morro Bay estuary with fresh water flowing through the beds from nearby aquifers.

The small bay constantly turns over its entire water volume bringing fresh nutrients and minerals ideal for his Pacific Gold Oysters. The oysters are grown in floating mesh bags that rise and fall with the tide on this 134 acre farm. Strong forces of nature constantly exerting stress on the oysters and a lot of physical shaking of the grow out bags shape the perfect deep cups found on the Pacific Golds.

Neal sells all of his oysters direct to restaurants all over the U.S., harvesting and shipping the same day.

Morro Bay Oyster Co. is a small family owned business that has a great team of dedicated employees that tend to the oysters daily from the time they spend in the nursery to the time they are hand selected to be shipped to their customers.