Meet the Farmer

Meet Nelson, co-owner and farm manager of Gator Bay Oyster Company. Nelson oversees the day-to-day operations of the farm, including sorting, grading, gear maintenance, and harvesting to ensure every oyster is raised with care and quality in mind.

A lifelong waterman at heart, Nelson comes from generations of fishermen and sea captains in eastern North Carolina, with family roots on the water dating back to the early 1700s. That heritage, paired with his passion for aquaculture, brings a deep respect for the coastal way of life to everything he does.

Nelson has worked with the UNCW Shellfish Research Hatchery since 2012, where he and his field crew help manage a 2.75-acre shellfish farm. He earned a B.S. in Marine Biology from UNCW and also holds an Associate Degree in Aquaculture Technology from Carteret Community College, where he worked as a research assistant for a pilot shellfish hatchery program.

His experience also extends overseas. In 2011–2012, Nelson lived and worked in Australia, where he served as a deckhand on a bluefin tuna farm and lobster fishing boat, and worked on an oyster farm in Coffin Bay, South Australia.

Above all, family comes first for Nelson. As a proud husband and devoted father, he hopes to share his love for working on the water and raising oysters with his daughter, Jane, passing down the values, traditions, and connection to the coast that have shaped his family for generations.