Captain Trip Whilden has been a commercial fisherman for over 30 years. He caught his first lobster at 10 years old after moving to Rhode Island from Vermont. His first job in the industry was aboard the Ellen June in Point Judith, R.I., in 1989. Since becoming a commercial fisherman, Whilden has had only one job on land, lasting just one month before returning to the sea. Trip oversees Whilden Fisheries, which includes the F/V Gale.

Gage grew up fishing and lobstering in Rhode Island. Now he captains the F/V Matrix and runs Fox Island Oyster Farm. He is a Sagittarius.

“Texas Red” to those who know him, Jon grew up landlocked but has since left “land bull****” behind him. A skilled diesel mechanic, Jon lends his talents to Wickford Oyster Co as our deck boss. When he’s not on board the matrix, you can bet he’s sailing mid Atlantic, eating nachos, and listening to mariachi music.

Kevin has been working as a fisherman in Rhode Island for 45 years. He’s done everything you can think of when it comes to fishing—harpooning swordfish, dragging, scalloping, even freezer fishing. After a brief attempt at retirement, Kevin joined the team at Fox Island. As a picker, he selects only the finest oysters for our restaurant partners.

The man with the plan its Pauly! Pauly manages deliveries for the company. He ensures restaurants receive their daily shipments of premier oysters. If you’ve eaten a Fox Island oyster—and you’d know if you’d had—Pauly is the guy who made it all happen.

The most recent addition to the crew, Haley joined the team as a deckhand in the fall of 2022. Despite being the frequent victim of photobombing, Haley loves oyster farming and all things aquaculture.

Olivia Mazzone has worked in fishing and aquaculture for four years. A marine biology student, Olivia contributes her scientific knowledge to the oyster farm and ensures Fox Island Oysters are the best in the bay.

Though she’s not much of a sailor, Maya has arguably been the backbone of the crew since 2013.