Above: Max Wiegardt (Oregon Oyster Farms), Daniel Morgan (Skipjack Ventures) load debris into dumpster. Photo: CKC Media.
This past Saturday, May 3, we teamed up with Oregon Oyster Farms, MidCoast Watersheds Council, Lincoln County Solid Waste District, and Dahl Disposal for the "Poole Slough Sweep"—and it was a huge success! Our goal was to help clean up Oregon Oyster Farms' south side property in Toledo, where aging aquaculture debris has been spilling into the Yaquina River and washing up on local beaches for many years.
In just two hours, 35 volunteers filled two 30-foot dumpsters with 9,833 lbs of debris including broken docks, yellow rope, polystyrene foam, PVC pipes, and more. It was a massive effort, driven by our community's desire for cleaner aquaculture practices—and a testament to the power of community action when regulatory enforcement falls short.
While Oregon law requires polystyrene floating docks to be encapsulated, weak enforcement has allowed debris to persist and burden coastal communities downstream. We decided it was time to take matters into our own hands by partnering with the Farm and local community to drive solutions. Xin Liu, owner of Oregon Oyster Farms, and new manager, Max Wiegardt, have been engaged and supportive partners in this growing collaboration with the Surfrider Foundation.
Above: Neighbor to the farm, Jerry Marsh, helps the crew load old tires to be recycled. Photo: CKC Media.
Above: Some of the many polystyrene floats found in the wetland area of Poole's Slough. Photo: CKC Media.
Above: Volunteers after a hard days work! Photo: CKC Media.
Oysters, Community, and Connection
After our cleanup, Miguel, the kind and smiley foreman who's been with Oregon Oyster Farms for over 20 years, and his crew treated volunteers to a fantastic oyster feed featuring raw and steamed Pacific, Kumamoto, and Olympia oysters. Rogue generously donated beer for us to enjoy after the haul.
Volunteers from Oregon Sea Grant, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Sea and Shore Solutions, local neighbors, and our dedicated Portland Chapter volunteers who traveled down to join us made for a great turnout. The atmosphere was filled with positivity and high morale as we brainstormed how to continue supporting Oregon Oyster Farms in their transition to more sustainable materials.
There’s no better way to wrap up a day of teamwork than with an ice chest full of cold beers and dozens of fresh oysters, all enjoyed outside on a sunny day by the water. It was a perfect reminder of the power of community and strategic collaboration.
Above: Farm foreman, Miguel, and his brother enjoying conversation with volunteers during our oyster social. Photo: CKC Media.
What's Next
Foam Fighters Cleanup on May 17
We’re not stopping here! Our next cleanup is set for Saturday, May 17 at Half Way Park, one of the most foam-polluted sites in the bay. We’ll focus on polystyrene and all the tiny fragments that break off from larger pieces of dock debris. The haul may not be as heavy in weight but it will be a huge upgrade for Half Way Park on Bay Road where as it stands now, has small bits of foam littering the path and wetlands. Expect low tide and some mud, so bring boots, and we’ll provide gloves, bags, and grabbers.
👉 Join us May 17 and help keep the momentum going!
Documentary in the Works
We’re also putting together a short documentary to capture the story behind this project and the progress we’re making by working with Xin Liu and Max Wiegardt at Oregon Oyster Farms. Stay tuned!
Above: Liu, Owner of Oregon Oyster Farms, and Max Wiegardt, manager, showing us how their operation works. Captured on camera by CKC Media.
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Thanks again to everyone who came out, got their hands dirty, and showed their passion for protecting our coast (and slurping oysters on the half shell).
This is what change looks like! See you on May 14th!
Above: Left to right --> Miguel (Oregon Oyster Farms), Max Wiegardt (Oregon Oyster Farms), Natalie Dulansky (MidCoast Watersheds Council), Sarah Wolf (Oregon Sea Grant / Surfrider Foundation), Charlie Plybon (Surfrider Foundation).
Photo: CKC Media