Harvesting from the Ocean: Local Tradition of Ostillon Collecting in Playa Danta
Recently, you may have noticed groups of locals collecting shells from the rocks in front of Las Catalinas in Playa Danta. They are looking for “ostillones”, or Crassostrea, a genus of bivalve mollusks in the Ostreidae family, closely related to true oysters.
Ostillones are distinguished by their irregular, asymmetrical shells. The exterior of the shell is rough and dark, contrasting with the interior, which has a smooth surface due to the transformation of calcium carbonate into an iridescent substance called nacre, also known as mother of pearl.
Ostillones are widely harvested for their high nutritional value and the ease of obtaining them with this hand-catching method. Once a month during this season, the full moon causes the tide to recede further out into the ocean exposing the area where the ostillones are found. Early in the morning and in the afternoon, locals gather to collect oysters for both personal consumption and for sale both on Playa Danta and Playa Pan de Azúcar. Local fishermen and women have also found oysters at these beaches at times. In Playa Portrero, there is an “almejas,” or clam, season.
Rarely do these harvests extend beyond the coastal regions of Guanacaste and Puntarenas, making it truly special to witness locals preserving these age-old traditions. If you happen upon groups on the rocky shores, take a moment to admire their time-honored fishing and gathering methods. A big thank you to Katherine from the Residential Sales Team at Las Catalinas for graciously sharing her captivating tale and beautiful photos from her morning stroll with us!