Visit us at OysterFest – October 19/20, 2024
Menu
Visit us at OysterFest – October 19/20, 2024
The Wellfleet Oyster Alliance recently wrote a piece on Barbara Austin titled Meet a Champion Shucker & Pioneer Shellfisherwoman.
Barbara Austin, a three-time Wellfleet OysterFest Shuck-Off champion, has spent more than 35 years carving out a legacy as a shellfisherwoman in Wellfleet. Featured in an article by the Wellfleet Oyster Alliance, Barbara’s journey is one of resilience, perseverance, and a deep love for the shellfishing profession.
Starting her shellfishing career in 1978, Barbara faced skepticism from fellow oystermen who questioned why she wasn’t “home, barefoot and pregnant.” But rather than letting the criticism deter her, she rose above it. With a combination of grit and determination, Barbara built a successful career on the flats, becoming one of the few women in a male-dominated industry.
Barbara’s skill as a shucker developed out of necessity. Working in Herring Cove, she quickly learned that the faster she could shuck, the more money she could make. Alongside her shellfishing work, Barbara also spent 16 years waiting tables in Wellfleet’s local eateries while raising two children, Clint and Wendy. Clint, now the owner of Pirate Shellfish, regularly competes against his mother in the OysterFest Shuck-Off competition, while Wendy is a firefighter and paramedic in Hyannis.
In the mid-1980s, Barbara helped pave the way for the expansion of shellfishing grants in Indian Neck, an area that was previously oyster-free. Alongside other Wellfleet pioneers like Peggy Jennings, Barbara’s efforts led to the flourishing oyster farms that now dot the region, helping to grow the local shellfishing industry into what it is today.
Barbara’s story is one of passion, family, and a commitment to producing quality food while contributing to the environment. As she puts it, “Shellfishing is a win-win profession. I’m proud to produce really good food that’s also good for our world.”
Barbara Austin’s influence on the Wellfleet shellfishing community is undeniable, and her legacy continues to inspire future generations of oyster farmers and shuckers alike.