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In this OYSTER-ology interview, Kevin speaks with Casey Davidson of Toadfish about creating a product-driven outdoor brand specifically to give back to oyster restoration and strengthen marine ecosystems through better water quality. Casey explains how his coastal upbringing and conservation experiences shaped a conviction that restoring habitat—especially oyster reefs—is one of the most effective, practical ways to help the water and the fisheries that depend on it. He describes Toadfish’s “Put ’Em Back” ethos, focused on recycling shells and funding restoration work through business sales, a dedicated nonprofit, and partnerships with local and regional programs. The conversation highlights the challenges of scaling restoration, the importance of public education and stewardship, and Casey's message that long-term ecosystem health depends on putting more oysters back than are taken out.

00:00 Mission First
00:27 Podcast Setup
04:35 Coastal Roots
05:59 From Politics to Tackle
07:00 Water Quality Wakeup
08:43 Oyster Roast Memories
10:11 Why Oysters Matter
11:41 Classroom Tank Demo
12:27 Starting Toadfish
14:06 Brand and Teal Knife
15:52 Rocket Ship Growth
17:38 Scaling and COVID
19:10 Designing New Products
20:42 Signature Teal Identity
21:42 What Company Is This
22:25 Best Sellers Today
22:33 Getting Into Raw Oysters
23:28 Oyster Boom Explained
24:05 Aquaculture Cleans Water
24:57 Put Em Back Origins
26:29 Shell Recycling Logistics
27:25 Nonprofit And Events
30:52 Scaling Restoration Programs
35:01 Choosing Projects Wisely
36:44 Customer Impact And Stewardship
38:52 Abalone And Finfish Restocking
42:02 Future Products And Final Call
44:58 Closing Reflections

Links:
Toadfish website (https://toadfish.com/)

Toadfish Conservation Coalition (https://toadfishcoalition.org/) See the time lapse video of oysters cleaning the water!

VCU Virginia Oyster Shell Recycling Program (https://ricerivers.vcu.edu/research-and-restoration/virginia-oyster-shell-recycling-program/)

Waddell Mariculture Center (https://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/mrri/waddell/facilities.html)

Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) (https://www.joincca.org/)

South Carolina Oyster Restoration Enhancement Program (SCORE) (https://score.dnr.sc.gov/)

Credits:
Guest: Casey Davidson, Founder and CEO, Toadfish
Host: Kevin Cox
Digital Deckhand: Chet Jipty
Production: OYSTER-ology Podcast

Contact: [email protected]

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