Carlsbad Aquafarm moving out of lagoon amid changes

CARLSBAD, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The Carlsbad Aquafarm is pivoting its operations and closing its gates off the Agua Hedionda Lagoon.

The aquafarm has been a living shoreline and sustainable farm with habitat restoration for more than a decade, and some of the lagoon operations date back to the 1950s. It's been in the caring hands of CEO Thomas Grimm for the last 12 years.

“I'll miss it, it's been a beautiful part of my life and I feel nothing but gratitude for having a chance to be part of this community, and the community includes the ecosystem here," Grimm said.

Now, the future of the site is up in the air.

“It’s a very healthy ecosystem and I hope it stays that way," Grimm said.

Why now? Well that answer is not clear on who made the decision and why.

NRG, the owners of the land, said in a statement to FOX 5/KUSI Monday:

“For many years, Cabrillo Power I LLC (an affiliate of NRG), has allowed Carlsbad Aquafarm, Inc. limited use of five acres of property in the outer Agua Hedionda Lagoon and along the south shore adjacent to the former Encina power plant. In recent years, the landscape of the property has changed rapidly.  Among other things, the Encina power plant has now been removed, the ocean desalination plant is installing a new water intake structure and the Encina site now hosts temporary Fire Station No. 7 for the City of Carlsbad.  As part of this changing landscape, Cabrillo Power I LLC provided the requisite notice that it is discontinuing Carlsbad Aqua Farm’s license to use the property, and has allowed ample time for the farm to remove its facilities and vacate the premises. 

As far as the future of the former Encina power plant site is concerned, community engagement is key. The City’s general plan will guide the nature of the planning and overall development of this important part of Carlsbad.”

But Grimm is leaving the lagoon better than he found it.

“Part of the purpose of this farm is ecological to make this lagoon a healthier one than if we were not here," Grimm said.

The farm has evolved over the years, but has created a sustainable aqua culture industry, from growing and selling local seafood, to research projects with several universities and government agencies, to donating more than a million oyster shells to the San Diego Zoo Alliance, U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, to help protect animals along the shore and too many more to name. But, just because the gates to the five-acre farm are closing, Grimm said their impact is far from over.

“Our plans are beyond this is to continue our living shoreline restoration project in other locations," he said.

Some of the other locations have included Newport's Back Bay and the South San Diego Bay. But it seems Grimm's heart will always be in Carlsbad.

The Aquafarm has been through a lot over the years including pivoting its operations during the global pandemic, and an incident earlier in 2024, when they sold out of oysters and said they unknowingly imported oysters infected with the norovirus. Plus, a few years ago Grimm said they suffered through the most damaging red tide the area had ever seen.

“We lost I would say about 95% of everything," Grimm said recalling the lasting damage from the red tide several years ago. "Pretty much wiped us out, it was very tough on us.”

At its peak, Grimm said they farmed a couple tons of oysters and mussels each week. While that has come to an end, Grimm said the name, 'Carlsbad Aquafarm,' will still be a business, but now focused on habitat restoration, and going back to his roots of working on educational videos, like he had done with National Geographic in the past.

“I will miss being here and feel nothing but enormous gratitude to the city, NRG and the community for allowing us to have this little farm here for a little while," Grimm said, holding back tears.

Grimm said they are now responsible for getting the buoys and lines out of the water that had been use to harvest the shellfish, despite not being the ones that had put them there decades ago. They are planning to have everything gone by the end of August, but are looking for donations to help collect the oyster shells that create natural reefs, helping the lagoon's shorelines. They are also removing the rigging from the lagoon and donating their equipment.