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 …

We’re restoring the Bay’s native oyster population by building sanctuary reefs, rebuilding public fishery reefs, supporting the aquaculture (oyster farming) industry, recycling oyster shell, and …

An oyster reef is a dense aggregation of oysters forming a large colony. Because oyster larvae need to settle on hard substrates, new oyster reefs form on stone or hard marine debris. Later, …

Sep 24, 2025 · Together, that’s 2,400 acres of oyster reef habitat—roughly 3.75 square miles, or more than 1,800 football fields Captain Wayne Goddard points out baby oysters, known as …

Since 1996, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation has been restoring oyster reefs throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. This map shows the location of oyster reef restoration in …

Sep 24, 2025 · Like coral reefs, these oyster reefs played crucial ecological roles, providing habitat and nurseries for many other species and filtering vast volumes of water.

May 13, 2016 · Oysters form reefs when they reproduce and settle on the shells of other oysters and create a massive structure consisting of many individuals. Oysters provide a valuable …

Oyster reefs act as natural filters, with each oyster capable of filtering several gallons of water per day. By removing suspended particles, excess nutrients, and pollutants, they improve water …

Many species of crab, shrimp, and fish use oyster reefs for habitat and shelter. Restoration goals may include providing habitat for these species in addition to building oyster populations. The …

Densely packed beds and reefs of oysters form a natural breakwater, dramatically cutting wave heights. They can also occur naturally in intertidal areas where they provide a form of …