AMERICA’S OYSTER

HABITATS ARE IN NEED OF

RESTORATION

A Report by Dillon Lee

Table of Contents
THE IMPORTANCE OF OYSTERS..........................................................................................................2

FOOD......................................................................................................................................................2

THE ECOSYSTEM.................................................................................................................................3

THE THREAT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT.........................................................................................4

HOW RESTORATION CAN HELP OYSTER POPULATION.................................................................5

CONCLUSION...........................................................................................................................................6

REFERENCES............................................................................................................................................7

THE THREAT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Oysters can be farmed or harvested from the wild, however, harvesting is much worse for the
environment. Overfishing occurs when the amount humans remove from the wild is significantly
greater than the amount the population can reproduce. Because oysters are growing in popularity,
the number of oysters in the wild is decreasing due to overfishing. The National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization states that only “1 percent of the historic oyster
population remains in Maryland due to overharvesting, habitat loss, and disease.” Overfishing is
not the only thing impacting wild oyster populations. Globalization has caused humans to
introduce non-native and species to ecosystems where they can grow unchecked. A study
conducted by a lab at Florida State University found that non-native oyster species in Tomales
Bay, California, which were accidentally introduced, killed over half of the local Olympia oyster
population (Science Daily). In addition, noise pollution, water pollution and coastal real estate
development have contributed to reduced numbers of wild oysters. All of the aforementioned
issues oysters face has been caused by humans. Because of this, humans possess a moral
obligation to restore oyster habitats that they have destroyed. Not only is restoration the right
thing to do, if humans want to continue to reap the economic and nutritional benefits of oysters
in the future, they must solve the crisis oyster habitats face.

THE IMPORTANCE OF OYSTERS

FOOD
Oysters are a common shellfish found around the world in shallow, salt, and brackish water. In
the United States, they are found on the East, West and Gulf Coasts. Oysters are a slimy, moist
creature that live inside of a rough flat shell about the size of a child’s hand; however, they come
in many types and sizes. Oysters are eaten in a variety of ways, including raw and cooked. They
are also considered a delicacy in some cultures. Oyster popularity is strong and growing in the
U.S., particularly in coastal states. Madelyn Kearns, an editor at Seafood Source, notes, “the rate
of oyster consumption particularly at restaurants, remains strong” and oyster farming is growing
concurrently with the increase in demand. Oysters also contribute to the economy of coastal
cities, especially smaller towns. For example, in Maryland, oyster farming and fishing
contributes $9 million to the state economy, which is growing by 24% per year (Chesapeake Bay
Foundation). Oysters are a valuable resource for humans in both a nutritional and economic
sense.
THE ECOSYSTEM
Oysters also contribute to the ocean ecosystem significantly. Oysters live tightly packed
and on top of each other in shallow water, creating massive beds. The shells of the oysters create
pockets where smaller fish and plants can thrive. These smaller fish provide food for larger fish,
which humans eat. Researchers at University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science find
that “the existence of an oyster reef truly creates a dynamic environment”. As seen in Figure (1),
oysters support the life of other animals, such as birds, who use oyster’s habitats to find food.
Without Oysters, the waters of the US would be less diverse and lack a significant number of
edible fish. Oysters are also referred as vacuums of the sea because they filter “organic and
inorganic particles from the water column resulting in cleaner water” (University of Maryland).
Because oysters contribute to both human wellbeing and the ocean ecosystem, this resource must
be protected at all costs.
Figure (1) Birds Looks Through Oyster Shells for Crabs and Small Fish

HOW RESTORATION CAN HELP OYSTER POPULATION

Oyster habitat rehabilitation comes in three main forms: gardening, recycling and habitat
restoration. Gardening is simply placing anywhere from a few to a few thousand oysters in
shallow water to encourage the growth of the population. Oyster gardening can be done by

residents of coastal towns on their property or by the government and environmental agencies.
Oyster shell recycling is similar, but only a few live oysters are placed with the shells. Every
time people eat at a restaurant or cook oysters at home, those shells can go back into the wild to
provide habitat for oysters and small fish. Organizations like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
organize drop off locations where people can recycle old shells and the foundation will plant
them out in the wild. The third main type of restoration is habitat restoration. Since oysters live
on the shore, erosion effects their habitat. One of the biggest issues facing ocean ecosystems is
erosion and reef decay. Coasts erode as waves and tides constantly eat away at sand rock. These
beaches, marshes and reefs are home to oysters and many species of fish. Humans have
developed solutions such as putting artificial reefs near the shore to prevent erosion and provide
a place for oysters and fish to live. As seen in figure (2), oysters can be placed by farmers near
the coast to prevent erosion. Restoration efforts exist but must be improved upon. An article
published by bioscience magazine concluded that “oyster reef restoration currently constitutes a
small fraction of the overall estuarine habitat restoration efforts, even though this habitat is
among the most degraded” (Bioscience).
Figure (2) Farmers Planting Oysters To Prevent Erosion
BENEFITS TO THE ECONOMY
The benefit of restoration does not only effect oysters, but the economy as well. The NOAA
estimates that a restoration effort in the Choptank River system could increase crab harvest by
80% (NOAA). Restoration is not free; however, economies could see a return on their
investment. Since oysters contribute to fish populations, tourism and other coastal businesses
could see spikes in business. The NOAA estimates that for every dollar spent on restoration,
local economies could see $1.07 return from increased business (NOAA). Ecotourism is a large
contributor to the economies of coastal cities. Improving and conserving the environment is
necessary if people continue to reap the benefits of it.

CONCLUSION
Every time a person orders food at a restaurant they must think about the importance of
preserving the resource they are eating. Oysters benefit people by providing a delicious source of
food, maintaining a diverse ecosystem and cleaning our waterways. This resource is vital if
America wants to keep its oceans and shores healthy. However, oyster populations are at an all
time low and this is causing issues with the economy, supply, and the environment. Restoration
is necessary if people want to enjoy oysters, wild fish, good jobs, and clean water. Gardening,
recycling, and habitat restoration are simple ways that even a single person can use to contribute
to restoration. The government must intervene because funding is low, while the urgency is high.
The lessons people can learn from this crisis goes beyond just oysters. For hundreds of years,
humans have over-exploited resources for their own benefit at the cost of the environment. There
is a great need for environmental conservation which humans are capable of doing.

References
“Invasive Species Threaten Critical Habitats, Oyster Among Victims.” ScienceDaily,
ScienceDaily, 10 Aug. 2009, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090717121426.htm.

“Oysters Remain King as Growers Race to Meet Consumer Demand.” SeafoodSource Official
Media, www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/oysters-remain-king-as-growers-race-
to-meet-consumer-demand.

Fisheries, NOAA. “New Report Explores Ecological, Economic Effects of Oyster Reef
Restoration.” NOAA, 5 June 2020, www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/new-report-
explores-ecological-economic-effects-oyster-reef-restoration.

“New Economic Report Details Growth of Oyster Aquaculture in Maryland.” Chesapeake Bay
Foundation, www.cbf.org/news-media/newsroom/2020/maryland/new-economic-report-
details-growth-of-oyster-aquaculture-in-maryland.html.

Littley, Chef Dennis, et al. “Garlic Oysters - A Restaurant Classic.” Chef Dennis, 21 Mar. 2021,
www.askchefdennis.com/garlic-oysters/.
“Why We're Restoring Florida's Oyster Reefs.” The Nature Conservancy, 10 Sept. 2018,
www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/florida/stories-in-
florida/floridas-oyster-reef-restoration-program/.

“Oyster Restoration Workgroup.” Oyster Restoration Workgroup RSS, www.oyster-

restoration.org/.