Pacific Oysters  Crassostree gigas  Wescott Bays, Quilcenes, Willapa Bays

The only true pacific oyster is the Olympia oyster (Ostrea lurida) but many oyster on the West Coast are given the name of the area or region from which they are  harvested for example, Westcott Bays or Willapa Bays,

Pacific oysters are meaty and crisp with mild sweet flavor.  The oysters from the North Pacific are more mild than those from further south in California.

Unlike the native Atlantic Oysters the Pacific is a transplant from Japan which was brought to the West Coast after the turn of the Twentieth Century.

Oysters can be infected with certain viruses and bacteria such as Vibro vulnificus.  Oysters should be harvested only from waters approved by the National Shellfish sanitation Program.