American Mussel Harvesters started in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, in 1986. Founder William Silkes began with one phone, one truck, and one mussel boat. The family company is today one of North America’s largest mussel producers. It farms, packs, and ships mussels, oysters, and clams nationwide. The company is based at 165 Tidal Drive in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
History of American Mussel Harvesters
William Silkes previously harvested mussels before founding the company in 1986. He had run an experimental mussel farm in Maine. Silkes studied marine sciences at Unity College and aquaculture at the University of Rhode Island. His son Greg Silkes now serves as general manager. The company eventually grew from a dockside start into its Quonset processing operation.
Growing waters
Today, the company farms in Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound. Its Salt Water Farms site sits off Aquidneck Island in fifty feet of water. Long-line gear suspends shellfish in trays in mid-water there. Finally, the shore-side harvest house cleans, grades, and packs every harvest.
Their oysters in the encyclopedia
- Caribou Oysters
- Beach Babe
- Midnight Kiss Oysters
- Paramour Oysters
- Quonset Point Oysters
- Duxbury Standard Oysters
- Umami Oysters
Where to buy
Find their shellfish through americanmussel.com, or call (401) 294-8999. The company ships daily to restaurants and retail.
References
- “About Us | American Mussel Harvesters, Inc.” American Mussel Harvesters, https://www.americanmussel.com/about/about-us/. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.
- “Our Shellfish Farms | American Mussel Harvesters, Inc.” American Mussel Harvesters, https://www.americanmussel.com/salt-water-farms/. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.
- “Our Farmed Mussels | American Mussel Harvesters, Inc.” American Mussel Harvesters, https://www.americanmussel.com/about/our-farmed-mussels/. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.
- “Shellfishing company flexes its technological muscle.” Providence Business News, https://pbn.com/shellfishing-company-flexes-its-technological-muscle11879/. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.
- “Rhode Island: Shellfish Farming Industry in R.I. has ‘Enormous’ Opportunity for Growth.” Saving Seafood, 6 Sept. 2022, https://www.savingseafood.org/news/state-and-local/rhode-island-shellfish-farming-industry-in-r-i-has-enormous-opportunity-for-growth/. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.