• A Drakes Bay Oyster Company worker sorts freshly harvested oysters on April 16, 2014 in Inverness, California. Recently, the ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against an injunction sought by Lunny to stay in business following former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s decision to not issue a new operational permit and extend the lease of the land for the oyster company. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
    A Drakes Bay Oyster Company worker sorts freshly harvested oysters on April 16, 2014 in Inverness, California. Recently, the ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against an injunction sought by Lunny to stay in business following former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s decision to not issue a new operational permit and extend the lease of the land for the oyster company. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
  • Drakes Bay Oyster Co workers sort bags of freshly harvested oysters. The Park Service and conservationists argue that Lunny’s operations are destroying eelgrass beds, and his farm is too close to the area used by harbour seals for reproducing. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
    Drakes Bay Oyster Co workers sort bags of freshly harvested oysters. The Park Service and conservationists argue that Lunny’s operations are destroying eelgrass beds, and his farm is too close to the area used by harbour seals for reproducing. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
  • A bag of freshly harvested Drakes Bay Oysters sit on a bin on April 16, 2014 in Inverness, California. Lunny reportedly responds that his farm is ‘the epitome of sustainable food production,’ and oysters have improved the water quality by filtering out particulate matter as they feed and were helping the eelgrass to flourish since the early 90s. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
    A bag of freshly harvested Drakes Bay Oysters sit on a bin on April 16, 2014 in Inverness, California. Lunny reportedly responds that his farm is ‘the epitome of sustainable food production,’ and oysters have improved the water quality by filtering out particulate matter as they feed and were helping the eelgrass to flourish since the early 90s. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
  • A Drakes Bay Oyster Co worker sorts freshly harvested oysters. The company produces more than 300,000 oysters and about one million Manila clams each year, reportedly, 85 per cent of shellfish grown in Marin County. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
    A Drakes Bay Oyster Co worker sorts freshly harvested oysters. The company produces more than 300,000 oysters and about one million Manila clams each year, reportedly, 85 per cent of shellfish grown in Marin County. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
  • A Drakes Bay Oyster Co worker breaks away shells from a hanger. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
    A Drakes Bay Oyster Co worker breaks away shells from a hanger. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
  • A boat sits on a pile of oyster shells at Drakes Bay Oyster Co on April 16, 2014. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
    A boat sits on a pile of oyster shells at Drakes Bay Oyster Co on April 16, 2014. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
  • Drakes Bay Oyster Co workers sort freshly harvested oysters on April 16, 2014 in Inverness, California. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
    Drakes Bay Oyster Co workers sort freshly harvested oysters on April 16, 2014 in Inverness, California. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
  • Freshly harvested oysters move down a conveyor belt at Drakes Bay Oyster Co. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
    Freshly harvested oysters move down a conveyor belt at Drakes Bay Oyster Co. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
  • A Save Drakes Bay Oyster Farm sign leans against a shed in Inverness, California. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
    A Save Drakes Bay Oyster Farm sign leans against a shed in Inverness, California. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
  • Shiobahn Devin (R) helps a customer inside the “oyster shack” at Drakes Bay Oyster Co. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
    Shiobahn Devin (R) helps a customer inside the “oyster shack” at Drakes Bay Oyster Co. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
  • Drakes Bay Oyster Co workers navigate a boat on Drakes Estero as they prepare to harvest oysters. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP
    Drakes Bay Oyster Co workers navigate a boat on Drakes Estero as they prepare to harvest oysters. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP

Business

In pictures: US oyster farmer takes on Supreme Court

Liz Claus

April 21, 2014

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Oyster farmer Kevin Lunny has asked the US Supreme Court to review his case against the US Park Service to renew the lease for his oyster farm that operates on Drakes Estero, California which is on federal land and Congress has designated as a marine wilderness.

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