Who We Are
Redefining Fresh
Meet the Cape Cod fishermen and Rock Harbor Shellfish crew providing you and your community with fresh local dayboat sea scallops.
Our Story
Rock Harbor Shellfish Co. is owned by Chris Viprino and managed by wife Emily Viprino. It all began in the winter of 2017 when Chris began bull-raking for clams in the Orlean's Town Cove in his waders. That following summer Chris bought the Miss Em and began dragging for clams out of Rock Harbor in Cape Cod Bay using a dredge. In 2018 Chris welcomed his first son and soon after purchased a second boat, the Miss Lyn, named after Emily's late Mom. In 2021 Chris and Emily welcomed their second son, and purchased a federal scallop permit, and in 2022, the Jessica Heather. Rock Harbor Shellfish Co. expanded to be able to sell scallops directly to customers off of their fridge truck, Snowball, in the summer of 2022.
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At Rock Harbor Shellfish, we are proud to fish in sustainable ways that work with our beautiful environment. We are passionate about contributing to our local economy and providing fresh and local nutrition to our neighbors and those who visit our home.
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We feel blessed to be in an industry that allows us to raise our children on the water.
Meet Your Fishermen
Chris Viprino
Owner & Captain
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Chris was born on Cape Cod and attended Nauset High School before going to college in Rhode Island. Beginning in his teens, Chris was a mate out of Rock Harbor, in his early 20s he began running his own charter company, the Helen B Charters, named after his now 102 year old Grandmother! (Almost 103)! Beginning in 2017, Chris began bull-raking in Town Cove. In 2017, he started dragging for quahogs and bay scallops with the Miss Em and soon after, the Miss Lyn. In 2022, Chris began setting up oyster grants and got the Jessica Heather to go sea scalloping! All of this while raising two little boys with a wife teaching full time! You can almost always find him at Rock Harbor quahogging or chasing after his two maniacs.
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Erin DeFeo
First Mate
Emily Viprino
Retail and Sales Manager
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Emily is a Washashore from New Hampshire. She made her way to Cape Cod in 2011 and began teaching dance at the Academy of Performing Arts in Orleans. Emily's primary career is teaching Health and Physical Education to high school students and of course being a Mom. Emily adamantly refused to sell scallops because of an experience regarding the smell while pregnant and caved in only to find out she loves them, and had to swallow her pride and admit it.
Dusty Curley
Captain and First Mate of the Jessica Heather