After decades of contributing to the local sustainable seafood industry, Carlsbad Aquafarm has ended its run in San Diego's North County.
Carlsbad Aquafarm was established along the Agua Hedionda Lagoon following a 1960s research project by California Sea Grant, which concluded that the area was ideal for growing shellfish and that the lagoon’s long-term health would benefit from the biofiltration provided by millions of shellfish. The research facility turned into a commercial business in the 1980s and was rebranded as Carlsbad Aquafarm in 1990.
Owned by Thomas Grimm, Carlsbad Aquafarm was Southern California's only sustainable mussel, oyster, and culinary seafood farm. Although the facility was established over 30 years ago, it wasn’t until 2021 that the farm opened its doors to small group tours. Over the years, the farm became a local icon, not just for its premium shellfish but also for its educational outreach.
The farm specialized in producing Carlsbad Blondes Pacific Oysters and Mediterranean Black Mussels. Earlier this year, Carlsbad Aquafarm was linked to a norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters imported from Mexico, revealing the business was quietly importing oysters during the off-season. 
This past May, Carlsbad Aquafarm announced that it would no longer host public tours "due to logistics issues and concerns for public safety in accessing the farm off Carlsbad Boulevard." It has now been revealed the business will completely cease operations at its longtime property and will instead focus on “coastal habitat restoration” at another location. Some people have reported not receiving full refunds on previously booked tours.
Carlsbad Aquafarm is currently hosting an online auction for much of its equipment, including a forklift, a van, a pontoon barge, shellfish nets, and much more. The closure marks not just the end of a business, but the loss of a cherished community resource and seafood supplier to many area restaurants. There is no word on what ecological impacts the closure will have on the lagoon. The land currently occupied by Carlsbad Aquafarms is owned by NRG Energy, Inc., which operated the nearby Encina power plant until its decommissioning in 2018.
Carlsbad Aquafarm was located at 4522 Carlsbad Boulevard in San Diego's North County. For more information, visit carlsbadaquafarmersmarket.com.
