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.
Oyster Facts
Some oyster species are native to the United States, while others have been introduced to support shellfish farming.
- The Eastern oyster is the only native oyster on the East Coast of North America. It is found from the Gulf of St. Lawrence around to the Gulf of Mexico, including the Chesapeake Bay.
- The Pacific oyster, introduced from Japan, is a popular West Coast aquaculture species.
Learn About Oysters and NOAA’s Work to Protect Them
Oysters are important in the United States—both environmentally and economically. That’s why we’re working with partners to protect and conserve them. Watch the video to learn more about oysters and our oyster restoration and aquaculture efforts.
Oyster Restoration Features
New Calculator Helps Oyster Growers Measure the Water Quality Benefits of Farms
The new tool provides a science-based estimate of how much nitrogen oyster farms remove from local waterways. It generates a report that can be used in the aquaculture permitting process.
Read more about the new tool for oyster growers
Protecting and Restoring Habitat in Virginia’s Middle Peninsula
Healthy wetlands and oyster reefs support fish, wildlife, and communities.
Read more about habitat restoration in Virginia’s Middle Peninsula
Oyster Reef Habitat
Oysters live in salty or brackish coastal waters, clustering on older shells, rock, piers, or any hard, submerged surface. They fuse together as they grow, forming rock-like reefs that provide habitat for other marine animals and plants. Discover the value of oyster reef habitat.
Learn more about oyster reef habitat
Oyster Reef Restoration in the Chesapeake Bay: We're Making Significant Progress
Together with partners in Maryland and Virginia, we're restoring oyster reef habitat around the Chesapeake Bay. We're making great progress toward our goal to restore reefs in 10 tributaries by the end of 2025.
Read our update on oyster reef restoration in the Chesapeake Bay
Oyster Aquaculture Features
Podcast: Sharing a Love of Teaching (and Oysters)
Teacher at Sea Alumni talks about teaching in Brooklyn and how he shares his passion for oysters with his students.
Listen to the podcast on a Teacher at Sea alumni who grows oysters
NOAA Fisheries and USDA's Agricultural Research Service to Breed Better Oysters
NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service opened the new Northeast Oyster Breeding Center in Milford, Connecticut to develop disease-resistant oysters that will bolster shellfish farming in the region.
Read more about the new oyster breeding center
Story Map: Farming from Tide to Table—Aquaculture Recipes and Stories from Across the United States
Explore the map to learn about aquaculture growers across the country, and pick up a few new recipes!
View the story map on aquaculture recipes and stories
