Fletcher O’Neal

1st GENERATION OYSTER FARMER 
FARMS NEAR Ocracoke, NC
VESSEL NAME Miss Maranda
CULTIVATES 
Devil Shoal Oysters

“I’ve always been on the water. It’s just peaceful out here. I think about leaving, but there’s no place like home.”

A five-minute boat ride from Ocracoke Island brings you to Fletcher O’Neal’s oyster lease. It’s here he grows the delicious Devil Shoal oyster among the cormorants, snails, and other sea dwellers.  He laughs describing a sea snail he found recently that shot out purple ink when you touched it. The oysters, he says, are so close to the island that they’re intrinsically connected. For him, they’re a true taste of Ocracoke.

The power of home is something he’s learned a lot about in the past few years. Experiencing medial issues a few years back, Fletcher had to spend a lot of time away from Ocracoke. The distance from home was as painful as the medical treatments. “I would get out for the weekend and come home, and I always just wanted to come float on the water, even if I couldn’t fish or do nothing.” He’s even encouraging his son to begin oyster cultivation, contributing to the next generation of oyster farmers. Learn more about Fletcher’s Devil Shoal Oysters here.

Get to Know More Fishermen & Farmers

Katherine McGlade

OYSTER FARMER IN HATTERAS
“I think that North Carolina oysters are among the best in the world. I never had one that I didn’t love.”

Hardy Plyler

FISHERMAN IN OCRACOKE
Hardy Plyler grew up on Ocracoke Island. After studying at UNC Chapel Hill as a Morehead Scholar, he returned home to Ocracoke and started fishing.

Adam Tyler

OYSTER FARMER IN HARKERS ISLAND
“When you fish, it’s what you do. Very few people give up the water.”