On February 25, 2024, Hillary Smith and Camden Hunt interviewed Abigail Barrows in Stonington, Maine. Abigail Barrows is a marine research scientist and the owner of Deer Isle Oyster Company. Raised in Stonington by parents who moved to the area in the late 1960s and 1970s. She holds a background in microplastics research and earned a Master’s in Human Ecology from the College of the Atlantic.

In the interview, Barrows details her transition from environmental research to aquaculture, acquiring her oyster farm in 2015 despite having no formal business background. She discusses the seasonal cycle of her three-acre farm, where she cultivates oysters and kelp, and outlines her motivations for entering aquaculture, including community resilience, environmental stewardship, and promoting local access to sustainable seafood. She describes her daily work routines, licensing challenges, family-business balance, and efforts to reduce plastic use in ocean farming gear through ongoing R&D projects. Barrows also discusses environmental changes observed in the Gulf of Maine, including rising water temperatures, invasive species, and storm intensity, and reflects on their implications for aquaculture. She emphasizes the need for diversification, climate adaptation strategies, regulatory flexibility, and equitable access to funding and leasing processes. Finally, she notes a growing presence of women and underrepresented groups in aquaculture, and expresses hope for a future industry that embraces sustainable materials and practices.