Spat-on-Shell Sales
The Horn Point Lab Oyster Hatchery is considered a low salinity hatchery averaging 10 ppt but ranging between 5-15 ppt depending on the year. If you are out of state, please contact your Department of Natural Resources office to find out your import requirements.
Spat-on-Shell Sales
The Horn Point Lab Oyster Hatchery is considered a low salinity hatchery averaging 10 ppt but ranging between 5-15 ppt depending on the year. If you are out of state, please contact your Department of Natural Resources office to find out your import requirements.

Note: 2025 orders are not being accepted until January 2, 2025
Spat-on-Shell Sales
To place an order for spat-on-shell oysters, please contact Stephanie Alexander (UMCES HPL) at (410)221-8310 or tobash@umces.edu.
Deposits and Payments
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required for all Spat on Shell orders. The time it will take for your order to be ready will vary, but the hatchery will try to accommodate reasonable setting schedules. Any spawn requiring specific broodstock or ploidy manipulation are considered custom spawns. Custom spawns will only be produced in a limited time frame.
Payments for Diploid Wild, Triploid, and Disease Resistant (DR) Spat on Shell can be made to UMCES HPL by check, credit card, or money order. Cash will not be accepted. All sales MUST BE PAID IN FULL before product will be released/shipped. Personal checks will not be accepted for orders over $500 without prior approval.
We recommend creating a FedEx account so shipping can be billed directly.
Orders for Pick-up
Once notice is given that your Spat on Shell order is ready, you will be given a total balance due (less your deposit), and you will have 7 business days to pick up your order. If pickup is not made within those 7 days, you will forfeit your order and deposit. Pickups are available Monday through Friday 8:30am-3pm. Please contact a hatchery staff member for a pickup time outside normal hours of operation. Orders MUST BE PAID IN FULL AT TIME OF PICK-UP.
Orders for Delivery
Spat on shell is both bulky and heavy, and is generally not available for delivery. In some cases, especially large orders, additional assistance may be required from ORP. There will be a charge for this service in which the purchaser is responsible for all costs associated with this assistance.
Once notice is given that your Spat on Shell order is ready, you will be given a total balance due (less your deposit) and shipping costs. Payments for Diploid Wild, Triploid and Disease Resistant (DR) Larvae must be made to UMCES HPL by credit card, check, or money order. Cash will not be accepted. All sales MUST BE PAID IN FULL before product will be released/shipped. Personal checks will not be accepted for orders over $500 without prior approval. A certified check, money order, or credit card is required.
You will have 7 business days in which to schedule shipping of your order. Failure to schedule/receive shipment within this time frame will result in a forfeit of your order and deposit.
Cancellation/Refunds
In the event that the facility is unable to fulfill your order, you will be refunded your deposit (if applicable). Please allow 6-8 weeks for checks and up to a week for credit card refunds to be processed.
Bag Pricing
Price per Bag Triploid Disease Resistant or Diploid Disease Resistant |
Price per Bag Diploid Wild |
---|---|
$30.00 | $20.00 |
Note: Bag counts typically range from 1,000 to 3,000 spat on shell, count is not guaranteed
Shell Counts (per shell)
If you need spat on shell counted contact Stephanie Alexander to make arrangements.
Shell counts = $2.00 per shell