It’s a family-friendly celebration of all things oyster
| Oysters are essential to maintaining healthy waterways, resilient coastlines, and thriving ecosystems. Yet they rarely get the spotlight they deserve. That’s why OC Coastkeeper is launching its inaugural Oysterpalooza! Shells for Shorelines is an oyster recycling program that takes donated oyster shells from restaurants and reuses them to grow native oyster populations in Southern California. Repurposing oyster shells is a long-standing restoration practice rooted in Indigenous coastal stewardship. Since 2024, our local community has recycled more than 23,000 pounds of oyster shells from local restaurants and restored over 1,800 native oysters in Long Beach’s Alamitos Bay, Huntington Harbor, Seal Beach, and Newport Bay. Why Restore Native Oysters? Oyster reefs are disappearing at an alarming rate. In California they have declined by 85% due to a combination of factors, including over-harvesting, habitat destruction, and water quality degradation. Oysters are a cornerstone of healthy coastal ecosystems. They aren’t just a tasty treat but tiny titans of the ocean. There will be small-business-centered crafts for sale, and oysters too. And science experts will speak about oyster and marine restoration throughout Orange County. I’ll be there, and I hope you will too. For further details, click here. |