Giving Oyster Lovers Something to Shell-ebrate

If you live in the Lowcountry, you probably  enjoy the water and myriad of species that call these waterways home; but what if the habitat these species live in is destroyed? Or even worse, the water quality gets so bad the fish can no longer live there? These are several of the issues that local, Charleston-based business Toadfish has been addressing since  its inception in 2016.

“Put ‘Em Back!” is its rallying cry, urging followers and newcomers alike to join in the movement to improve our waterways through oyster reef construction, oyster recycling and general coastal education.

Founded on James Island by Lowcountry-native Casey Davidson, Toadfish started in his backyard with the sole product being a Toadfish oyster knife. “The idea behind it was that it was an oyster knife that replanted oyster beds,” he said.

Davidson would drive down to Beaufort every weekend to pick up oysters from his cousins’ farm before demonstrating his product at local farmers’ markets. In addition to selling the oysters, knives and shrimp cleaners, he would have genuine conversations with visitors about the importance of oyster replenishment. Throughout the week, he would load his car up, print off directions from MapQuest, and drive around to pitch his products to independent dealers all along the coast. He eventually established a Shopify® account to sell his products online, allowing coastal enthusiasts from all over to join in the “Put ‘Em Back” movement.

“I would be printing shipping labels and packaging up orders in my shed late at night,” Davidson laughs. “My wife was a big help, and my family would help me with big orders, but I’m happy to say we’ve definitely grown since then.”

With a mission to restore oyster habitats with every product sold, the organization has expanded significantly over the years, now offering everything from high-quality fishing rods and fishing gear to Toadfish apparel and kitchenware. As a constant reminder of its roots, five percent of all profits go back to restoring oyster habitats.

Some readers may be unfamiliar with the namesake of the company. An oyster toadfish is a small fish that lives an almost symbiotic existence in oyster beds. Davidson got the idea for the name back in high school as a way to show his company’s authenticity and deviate from the countless marine brands using large sportfish for mascots. But it was through his internships with the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) where Davidson learned just how important oysters are to our oceans. “I realized, man, the oyster is the answer to so many issues facing our coastlines, because the number one reason for fish mortality is poor water quality,” he explains.

In South Carolina, oyster replanting begins only after old oyster shells have been set aside for a six-month quarantine period before being reintroduced to the water. When the time comes, nearby live oysters spawn and produce tiny, baby oysters called “spat” that attach to the now-abandoned shells from these clusters.

Aside from the work done for oysters, Davidson relishes the challenge of designing his products to reflect the beauty and complexity of the Lowcountry and its waterways.

“The philanthropic side is so exciting for me, because we’ve now got oyster restoration projects running in eight different states,” he exclaims. “It’s just amazing how much money we’ve been able to give and how many oyster reefs we’ve been able to plant through our mission.”

Toadfish is a regular participant in local events and even hosts its own annual fundraiser called Shellabration, which attracts visitors from all over the country with a common love for the sea. Having also established the Toadfish Conservation Coalition, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Davidson ensures that 100 percent of profits from Shellabration go toward the Toadfish mission.

Volunteering is another important aspect of the company’s mission, and the Toadfish team often works alongside the South Carolina Oyster Recycling and Enhancement (SCORE) program and Charleston Waterkeeper to build and plant oyster reefs. “I’m so proud of the work we’ve done and can’t wait to see what’s next,” Davidson said. Having planted over 300,000 square feet of oyster habitat, it’s obvious that Toadfish is casting a much larger net with each passing year.

To learn more about the “Put Em Back” movement or to check out Toadfish’s ever-growing selection of products, visit www.toadfish.com.