Shellfish

More than on the Menu: Helping Communities Restore Oyster Habitat

For centuries, oysters have remained a popular seafood fare for cultures all around the world. What you might not know is that all shellfish—including oysters—are a crucial component of global ocean health and that our coasts, bays, and estuaries where oysters make their home, contain some of the most productive yet impacted ecosystems on Earth. With native oyster populations and their habitats particularly degraded, NOAA and partners are helping to create a new vision for restoring the critical ecosystem functions that native oysters provide.

Aside from providing food and jobs for Americans, they provide habitat for hundreds of other marine species, filter and clean the surrounding water, and protect shorelines from erosion and storm damage. NOAA has identified the restoration of oyster reefs as a conservation priority and is working to restore native populations and their ecosystem function across the United States. Over time, our restoration strategies will yield dramatic results and offer hope—from increased numbers of native oysters to the adoption of new restoration techniques.

NOAA's Approach to Shellfish Restoration

• Working to understand ecosystem function of oyster reefs
• Identifying ecosystem services of oyster reefs and measuring success
• Developing and refining restoration methods and monitoring protocols
• Transferring technology to other restoration practitioners