We are delighted to be supporting Billion Oyster Project, a nonprofit initiative that is restoring oyster reefs to New York harbor.

In the 1600’s New York Harbor was home to 220,000 acres of oyster reefs and was one of the most diverse environments on the planet. Due to over harvesting of the oysters and the introduction of the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) system in 1849, the oyster beds diminished, with the last commercial bed closing in 1927. In 2014, Billion Oyster Project began, pledging to restore one billion oysters to New York harbor by 2035.

What are the benefits of oysters?

Oysters have a reputation for being ‘ecosystem engineers’. Just like coral reefs they provide a habitat for marine wildlife, fostering biodiversity. An adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day, filtering as they eat and in turn removing pollutants such as nitrogen. Too much nitrogen creates algal blooms that deplete the water of oxygen, creating ‘dead zones’, stopping any chance of life in these areas. Oysters also form natural storm barriers by reducing flooding, softening large waves and stopping erosion.

What are we doing to help?

Manuela have joined over 80 restaurants who are giving their discarded oyster, clam and scallop shells to the project. Once the shells are collected from us, they are taken to a curing site. Here they are exposed to all the elements including wind, rain and insects, in order to clean them. After a year of cleaning, the shells are seeded with infant oysters, before being placed into reef sites in the harbor. Baby oysters (also known as spat) need a hard surface to survive, the shells provide this as well as being rich in calcium carbonate, helping the spat develop its own shell.

How you can help?

There are plenty of ways to help Billion Oyster Project, including volunteering, donating, becoming a member or getting your school involved. Visit their website to find out more, www.billionoysterproject.org