Melissa Gaskill

As oyster reefs have declined, other marine species have suffered and coastal storm damage has increased. Innovative programs are starting to help.l Coastal ecosystems — including oyster reefs, sandy beaches, mangrove forests and seagrass beds — provide important habitat for marine life and food and recreation for people.

NOAA

Oysters are remarkable. They provide many benefits to the ecosystem they live in. They are filter feeders—they clean the water as they eat. And they grow in reefs, which provide great habitat for many other species. But in many places, their population has plummeted. So we work to restore oyster reefs. They are also a popular seafood. At NOAA, we support research and policy development to grow sustainable aquaculture in the United States. And while they're growing, aquaculture-grown oysters deliver extra benefits.

The Nature Conservancy

In Texas, that might call to mind your favorite raw bar or drum up memories of family vacations along the Gulf Coast. But there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to these underwater powerhouses. In addition to filtering water and promoting marine biodiversity, oyster shells have long been used as livestock feed, in manufacturing and as paving material—the Houston Astrodome alone used 500,000 cubic yards of oyster shells to construct its stadium and parking lot.

Jacob Baumgart

SEVERN, MD — Severn elementary school students are learning hands-on that recycling oyster shells cleans the Chesapeake Bay, provides habitat for marine life and prevents shoreline erosion.

Nicole Fuentes

This summer, Seatuck Environmental Association and the Village of Patchogue will be starting a three-year pilot oyster restoration program at Shorefront Park.

East Hampton Town Trustees

Rob Rich

East Hampton Town Trustees

Veronica Chumbi

Elisabeth Brigham