With Restaurants Shuttered, Don’t Forget to Recycle Oyster Shells

oyster shells-Lauren Winther-Hansen-1171x593

Lauren Winther-Hansen

With indoor dining in Virginia and Maryland restaurants still restricted, oyster restoration efforts are facing a depleted supply of the shells needed to stock sanctuary oyster reefs. In Virginia alone, restaurants and oyster lovers supplied 3,000 bushels of oyster shells to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) oyster reef restoration efforts in 2019. CBF expects 2020 numbers to be lower due to restaurant restrictions related to COVID-19.

The dozens of Virginia and Maryland restaurants that participate in CBF’s shell recycling program save empty oyster shells after meals, which are picked up by volunteers and brought to shell collection bins. These empty shells are cleaned and eventually become homes for the baby oysters that attach to them. CBF restoration experts plant the shells and baby oysters on sanctuary reefs off-limits to harvest.

“With fewer people eating oysters in restaurants, we can’t count on a steady stream of restaurant shells, which have been vital for restoration work. Many people are now enjoying local oysters at home, but don’t forget to recycle those shells,” said CBF Virginia Oyster Restoration Manager Jackie Shannon. “You can help bring back oysters in the Chesapeake whenever you drop off those empty shells at designated bins around Coastal Virginia. They’ll eventually form homes for oysters, crabs, and fish on a new sanctuary reef.”

Find an oyster shell drop off location near you in Virginia or Maryland.

Kenny Fletcher 90x110

Kenny Fletcher

Director of Communications and Media Relations, CBF

[email protected]
804-258-1628

The Bay Needs You

The State of the Bay Report makes it clear that the Bay needs our support now more than ever. Your donation helps the Chesapeake Bay Foundation maintain our momentum toward a restored Bay, rivers, and streams for today and generations to come.

Donate Today

Save the Bay

Founded in 1967, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest independent conservation organization dedicated solely to saving the Bay.

Save the Bay
x
This website uses cookies to tailor and enhance your online experience. By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. For more information, including details on how to disable cookies, please visit our Privacy Policy. Close