Oyster season started November 1st and the two harbors in the Seadrift area have 150 boats and more are coming! Some local people who live off the bay are the Ruiz family. Pictured are Cecilio Ruiz (3rd from left) and his wife Sylvia (6th from left). Cecilio has oystered since 1982. One of their three daughters, Cassandra (2nd from left) and her husband, Juan Vallejo (far left), also work the bay. Juan has oystered for 10 years. Their other daughters are also pictured: Cecilia and Victor Garcia (left of Sylvia) and Cathaleen to Sylvia’s right.

On the far right are grandchildren Jocelyn and Zavian.

-Tanya DeForest